Osburne Fails In Enlistment

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Truman Osburne, 19, Des Moines, was refused admittance into the armed forces Tuesday.
Joe Moore, Polk county agent, said recruiting officers told him that Osburne's record, including one felony conviction, prevented his enlistment.
Moore said he was contacted in the matter, not because he has any official jurisdiction over Osburne, but because the youth had discussed his "adjustment" problems with Moore informally.
At 17, Osburne was committed to the boys training school at Eldora in connection with a robbery charge. More recently he has been involved in several brushes with the law, mostly resulting from fights and disturbances downtown.
"I'm a sort of 'last link' between some people and society", Moore explained. "Of course a lot of people don't agree with me, but I believe that if it is possible to salvage someone with a bad record, it's worth a try."
Moore said Osburne, now living on Second avenue north of Euclid avenue, came to him and expressed discouragement over his failure to find employment.
"He gave me a list of 12 places where he's tried to get work," Moore explained, adding that prospective employers are reluctant to hire him because of his difficulties with the law.
Moore said he advanced Osburne $5 from Iowa Humane Society funds to "tide him over" until Moore can intervene in his behalf with a former employer.