Guy T. Helvering to Woodrow Wilson

My dear Mr. President
The next few weeks--possibly days---will decide as to the policy which the country will adopt in securing the necessary forces which will be needed to protect the interests of the country.

Of course I am aware that you favor what is familiarly termed a “selective draft,” but that term is not generally understood by the people and I feel that if you would but express your views, as clearly as you have on many other occasions, so that all may understand, much of the doubt would disappear and we would be able to get together for the common good much more readily.

I trust that you will realize that in writing you I am doing so in no captious spirit. We are all aiming for a common goal and I believe with the same earnestness of purpose, but we cannot overlook the fact that a great many of our people have a decided objection to anything which could be construed as “conscription” or “draft” and I am certain that a statement from you to the country would quickly clear away much of the misunderstanding which is now in existence.

Sincerely yours,
Guy T. Helvering