Evening star., 1939-04-30

Behind the clouds of war talk and the
furry of activities in behalf of
stronger national defense there has
been functioning quietly at the War De-
partment a board of officers charged
with the serious responsibility of formu-
lating definite program for mobilizing
man power in the event of national
emergency.
This group, representing the three
armed services of the United States, has
been seeking to devise an ideal plan to
bring to the colorS the men needed in
time of war to operate the fighting ma
chine and at the same time leave in
tact that part of industry which must
be kept going at full speed to supply the
forces in the field. 1t is the Joint Board
on Selective Service, and 1t is composed
of Capt. C. H. Morrison, Navy, chair
man; 1t. Col. William c. Rose, Adju-
tant Generals Department. Army; 1t.
Col. Shaler Ladd, Marine Corps; 1t. Col.
Miller G. White, National Guard; 1t.
Col. v. j. OKelliher. Army Specialist
Reserve; Maj. Lewis B. Hershey, Army,
and the following additional members
for industrial contact Comdr. Greene
W. Dugger, jr., Navy. and Maj William
H. Sadler, Army. attached to the office
Of the Assistant Secretary of War.
The board recently completed 10
day conference here at which were
heard reports from committees in va
rious parts of the country. which have
been working the last year on various
phases of the question. Particular at
tention was given to the methods to be
followed during the first so days of VOL
untary enlistment, including exemption
Of those necessary to industry, combing
out of misf1ts and sending to the mill
tary and naval ranks only those young
men who will be able to carry on with
the utmost vigor and who are less likely
to become liability rather than an
asset. The lessons of the selective serv-
ice of the World War are being studied
closely, to the end that some of the
problems with which the military forces
were confronted then may be avoided.
One of the more serious of these is the
matter of keeping down postwar costs
by reducing the number of those who
would become eligible for veterans bene-
fits, although having contributed Moth
ing to the winning of the war.
Voluntary Enlistment First.
Generally, the plan so far provides for
voluntary enlistment during the first so
days of war. If the recruits come in
sufficient numbers there will be no i'm
mediate need for selective service or
CONSUMPTION. There is no selective serv-
ice law now, such as was in effect during
the World War, but one of the matters
being considered by the board is the
preparation of legislation to be intro
duced Immediately upon a determina-
ton that voluntary manpower will not
meet the Nations needs.
The mere recruiting of men by volun-
tary enlistment is not without its prob
lens If the program for carrying out
the war plans in most efficient manner
Is to be effective. There will be the
young man straining every point to get
into the fray, but who would be more
valuable in his civilian position back of
the lines He may be, for instance, an
important cog in an airplane factory.
True, he could be used in the ground
forces of the air service, but he may
be more important to the Nation at his
civilian task. 1t will be the duty of the
board who considers his case to deter
mine whether he should stay in industry
or be assigned to the service for which
he is trained.
Apart from the question of the skilled
and unskilled, there is the problem OF
getting into the Army. Navy and Ma
rine Corps only the finest physical spe-
cimens-taking them in only after it has
been completely determined that they
will be able to withstand the rigors of
q campaign on land, on the sea and in
the air-in whatever billets to which
they may be assigned.
The regular fighting machine will be
faced with the important task of hold
ing back the enemy until new forces can
be modified and trained. The task Of
getting the additional personnel is to
be left to civilian forces in the States
and territories. The country has been
divided into sectors, each with its civil
liam board aided by officers of the State
staffs of the National Guard organi-
zations. Each will be allocated a certain
quota of men to be obtained, not for one
branch, but for all the services. The
boards are to examine the men, ascer-
tain their qualifications and see that
they are headed for the organizations
they are best fitted to serve 1t will be
their duty to determine whether a man
is qualified and whether he is needed
more at home than in the field or at
sea. Not until man passes every phase
Of this preliminary test is he to be put
In any of the armed services. Not until
then will he have an opportunity to get
on the veteran list" for until that time
he will not be a part of the military
service.
The plan proposes to avoid the prac-
tice in the last war of taking men and
sending them to the camps and canton
! ments and training stations, in full mill
tary status, and then having them sent
home before they have done anything
to promote the campaign.