Evening star., 1940-10-12
Draft Plan
[0utIined 10
Trade Board
LocuI Boards Hold
Key to Success,
U. S. Chief Says


Warning against abuse OF the
rather liberal rules" regarding de.
ferments in the forthcoming con-
scription, 1t. Col Lewis B. Hershey,
acting United States selective service
executive. last night told members OF
he Washington Board Of Trade that
the key to the success Of the Nations
first peacetime draft rests in the
operation of the local boards sup
ported and governed by public opin-
ion.
Col. Hershey said the boards will
be charged with the task of seeing
that the 'nicety of balance" is main
tanned particularly in determining
deferments relating to employment
In vital industries and that abuses
will cause public opinion to drive us
TO severe measures"
Col. Hershey pointed out that dur
ing the World War some industries
misused deferment privileges and
certain classes of people were de-
ferred en- masse"
Public opinion was aroused against
such practices then just as it will be
should any abuses occur in determi-
nation of deferments at this time"
he added.
Family Protection an Objective.
Regarding deferments because OF
dependents, Col. Hershey promised
that every effort would be made to
preserve the family group and that
greatest care would be exercised in
determining which registrants right
fully should be included in this de-
ferment classification.
The acting selective service chief
said the manner in which the Amer
lean people have backed the con.
scription program presents ground
for optimism. There is no limit
to the power of the people Of the
United States" he commented, IF
they will become more and more
habituated to acting for common
purpose"
Col. Hershey explained that the
conscription machinery has involved
the setting up of 125,000 centers,
with a working force of 100000, to
register more than 100000 draft
eligibles. Approximately 00,000.0 900
printed forms have been required in
the preparations, he said.
Hearing Col. Hershey were more
than 1900 members of the Board Of
Trade. gathered at their first fall
meeting in the Willard Hotel. Fred
A Smith, vice president, presided,
President James E. Colliflower being
absent, due to the death of his
father. Mr.. Smith pledged contin.
ued cooperation of the organization
in the national defense program and
reviewed the activities of the board
| during the summer months.
Cox Calls for Support of Boards.
| Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox, selective
service executive of the District,
called on the membership for their
whole-hearted support of the local
draft boards. The Commissioners.
he said, selected the draft board
members as representatives of the
highest degree of citizenship in our
city"
Gen. Cox also pointed out that
1t is the duty Of every person out
side the draft age limits to make
those called out under the conscrip-
ton program feel they go as our
representatives in great cause, not
as dumb, driven cattle
The problem of adequate housing
in relation to the national defense
program was called to the atten-
ton of the board members by
| Charles F. Palmer. co-ordinator Of
housing for the National Defense
Advisory Commission. Mr.. Palmer
said that efforts were being made to
guard against collapse of private in
dustry when the current gigantic
housing program becomes no longer
necessary.
In the report of the boards Traffic
Committee, P. Y. K. Howat, chair
man, said a s50000 traits survey in
the District, conducted under the
sponsorship of the Bureau of Public
Roads and the District Engineering
Department, is two-thirds COM
pleted, and that a full review Of the
survey will be made at the spring
meeting of the board.
Driver Blood Tests Discussed.
Mr.. Howat said his committee
had studied reports on the operation
of Junior Safety Councils in num-
Der of the country's larger cities and
recommended that work be started
toward establishment of similar
council in Washington. He said the
committee is advocating more Sc
we're penalties for drunken driving
and discussed possibilities of blood
tests for drivers suspected of intoxi-
cation. The committee. he said. still
Is working for construction of un-
derpasses at Scott and Dupont Cir
cles and a Fourteenth street and
Maine avenue grade separation.
Among the honored guests were
Commissioners Melvin c. Hazen
and David McCoach, jr; Orig. Gen.
William Dryden, deputy chief Of
staff, United States Army; Col.
Sumpter Smith, U. S. A., in charge
of construction of the Washington
National Airport; Capt. Harry w.
Hill, United States Navy; 1t. Col.
Horace B. Smith of the Washing
ton Provisional Brigade, and 1t.
Charles van der Straten. son of the
Belgium Ambassador, who returned
to American less than two weeks
ago after serving with the Belgium
Army as an officer in the tank corps.
In addition to his discussion of
District selective service, Gen. Cox
addressed the board members In
behalf of the District of Columbia
Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The general is chairman Of the
Red Cross Roll Call Speakers Bu-
reau.
New directors Of the board, Sc
lected at the April meeting, were
presented by Chairman Smith.
They are Lawrence E. Williams, Ed
gar Morris, Granville Guide, John
A. Reilly, Alfred @. Neal. G. Hay