Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-13
ARMY OF 100000
PLANNED FOR u. S.
Mobilization Scheme Out
lined by Gen. Macarthur
After Churches Protest.

War Department plans for instant
| mobilization of an army OF 4,0OO,OOO
men were outlined today before the
War Policy Commission by Gen. Doug
las Macarthur, Army chief OF stan,
almost Immediately after receipt OF q
protest from the Federal Council OF
Churches that elaborate war prepara-
lions would diminish national security.
Gen. Macarthur, appearing at the
commissions resumption of hearings to
find a method to take the profits out
of war, explained in detail the War De-
partment plans for military and indus
trial mobilization.
Earlier, Assistant Secretary of War
Payne had said the War and Navy De-
partments. assisted by other agencies.
were developing plans adequate for the
mobilization of the Nations economic
and industrial resources.
Churches Urge Delay.
In a written statement fled with the
commission the Administrative Com
mittee of the Council of Churches set
forth its view that any program OF
wartime CONSUMPTION should be put into
force only by act of Congress with
reference TO specific emergency" The
committee recorded the strong conVic-
ton that whenever human life is sub
jected to CONSUMPTION material re-
sources should be conscripted with equal
thoroughneSs and rigor."
Representative Ross Collins of Mis-
sissippi, a member of the War Policy
Commission, filed the statement from
the Administrative Committee OF the
church council. 1t was read into the
records of the hearings.
In his outline of plans of the War
f0w IAol fV1np rHfff6 frrfINFR
emergency that may arise, Gen. Mac
Arthur brought out that a proposed
system of selected service has been
worked out which recognizes no exsmp-
ton. 1t contemplates defermentS based
on industrial and humanitarian reasons,
but whenever the cause of deferment
could be eliminated in particular case
the man affected would be reclasSif1ed.
Opposes Price Freezing.
The chief of staff expressed OPPOSE
to the plans proposed to the commits
sion by Bernard M. Baruch, former
chairman of the War Industries Board,
for freezing all prices at the outbreak
of conflict.
Gen. Macarthur said the War De-
partment believed that, aside from legal
objections to such a proposal, injustice
and hardship would develop to such an
extent es to incite popular diSsastis-
faction and create distrust toward gov
ernmental orders and programs He
added that past experience had shown
that similar attempts had 'fostered
subterfuge and evasion and dried up the
sources of supply"
Gen. Macarthur proposed a plan for
prearranging all governmental pur-
chaSes that could be foreSeen, elimina-
ton of competitive bidding among gov
ernmental buyers, conservation and
control of materials in which there
might be a shortage, and use Of spe-
cial war time contract that would
eliminate the temptation to pad costs
that accompanied the use of the cost
pluS percentage contracts of the World
War"
Would Register Wealthy.
The chief Of staff proposed the regis
tration of all wealthy in war time, SINH
lar to the registration of manpower, to
facilitate the imposition of taxes.
Cen. Macarthur testified the War
Department was opposed to the con-
not be supported by public opinion and
would be so resented by workers they
would not lend their best efforts.
He took issue with the views of the
Federal Council of Churches, contend
ing that adequate preparation and
plans providing that no one could es-
cape share Of wars economic loss
would exert a SOLDERING and restraining
effect upon any group or class that
might be tempted otherwise to urge
the adoption Of national policies likely
to lead to international conflict"
Council Raps Defense Moves.
The Administrative Committee Of the
Council of Churches, after stating its
position on CONSUMPTION, added:
While recognizing the necessity for
reasonable national defense and for
maintaining international order and in
ternational Justice, we believe the peo-