Evening star., 1940-12-12
Nations Draft Officials
Urged 10 Build Army
On Uniform Basis
Dykstro Tells Conference
Job Is to Choose Only
The Best Available Men
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.


the best available men who can be
spared from their homes and Jobs
instead of $500 different selective
service policies" one for each local
draft board, c. A. Dykstra, national
director of selective service, told
State directors and other regional
officers meeting from all over the
country at the War Department
today.
Responsibility for administering
the selective law fairly and consist
emily, Mr. Dykstra said, comes
straight home to the States, straight
home to every local board in the
United States"
The director called for whole
hearted teamwork in building a
peacetime army from which men
will return to their homes finer
better citizens"
I'VE are not here" said Mr..
Dykstra, ito pat ourselves on the
back-we are here to make the
service in which we are engaged a
more effective one toward greater
national objectives.
Another Call In Near Future.
1--WE have great responsibilities
under the Selective Service Act. Part
Of that is behind us. at least for
the moment. Millions have been
registered. We have had what we
believe was a fair and impartial
lottery.
THE boys are now going from the
induction stations. There will be
another call in the near future, and
more will be going From now on.
then, our task particularly is to find
men to send to our training camps,
but we must not forget that there is
also part Of that obligation to hold
back those who cannot serve in
camp, to defer others who are inn
portant to the national welfare in
scores Of ways"
The director urged the State
officials to make every effort to
protect the interests of the Nation,
the States, local communities and
the trainees themselves, so that the
mobilization Of manpower may be
carried out with sympathy and
understanding
Post-Army Life Considered.
Mr.. Dykstra also stressed the i'm
portance of seeing that men who
have completed their training either
get their jobs back or obtain new
ones, adding:
What is going to be the reception
Of these men when they come back
home? We want them to be finer,
better citizens. We must consider
what the American people will think
of selective service six months from
now, year, two years from now
Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, exec
utive officer of selective service, en-
phasized that it was the duty of the
State officers to make reports on
what is happening out on the line"
They can do much, ne indicated, to
make the entire organization func-
ton smoothly and effectively.
Gen. Hershey told the State
officials that they would not be
serving the system unless they ex-
pressed at this meeting every idea
which might help selective service.
Difficulties to Be Discussed.
The visiting officers, meeting with
national officials of selective service.
plan 10 60 over all their problems
during two and a half days OF
sessions These problems include
| deferment of registered men who
have dependents and those engaged
in work considered vital to the coun-
try or to their communities. Their
difficulties encountered in the
physical examination Of selectees
also will be discussed.
Precedent made by the drafting
of three New York policemen. which
sent Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia
flying to Washington for futile
appeal to DR.. Dykstra to stop the
threatened disruption of police and
fire departments, undoubtedly will
find an echo at the meeting.
The liability of policemen and
firemen in general to military serv-
ice is expected to come up for dis
cussion, along with other problems
of occupational deferment and de-
tendency which national officers re-
gard as much more important.
New York's outspoken Mayor
lunched with Mr.. Dykstra, Gen.
Hershey and Col. William H. Draper,
jr Mr.. La Guardia urged that his
police and firemen be given voca-
tional deferment, since they already
were doing their bit for the national
defense and they were needed at
home.
Up to Local Board.
While there was no announce
ment from the selective service ex-
ecutives, it was learned that the
mayor was told the law gave them
no alternative except to leave the
case of each registered policeman
or fireman to the judgment of his
local board, which would have to
decide individually whether he was
a necessary" man in his occupation
or could easily be replaced. The
law does not provide for deferment
by vocations or groups, Mr.. La
Guardia was reminded.
The mayor took a plane for New
York threatening to ask Congress to
amend the law if the drafting of
his policemen Is upheld. Meanwhile,
an appeal to the regional appeal
board is planned. This board is the
final arbiter, except in certain cases
involving dependency alone, which
may be appealed to the President.