Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-10
Consumption Boards
May Aid in Placing
Defense Workers
Shortage Is Reported
In Positions Requiring
Specialized Skill
By CARTER BROOKE JONES.

A closer coordination between
the swiftly expanding Army and
Navy and the industries which will
equip them, with view OF using
the selective service machinery to
supply shortages of skilled artisans,
was indicated in official circles to-
day.
The Joint Army Navy Munitions
Board has been asked to prepare
a list of vital industries in which
there are not enough skilled work
erS.
This probably will result in GER
tain migrations of skilled workers
to regions where they are needed,
1t was predicted, and the De-
tense Advisory Commission may be
asked to pay the expenses of those
needed urgently by defense indus
tries.
Industries Migrate.
1t also was declared likely that
local and appeal draft boards will
be asked to keep in mind the needs
of certain industries in deferring
skilled men from military service.
Some of these industries. it was
pointed out, have migrated from
one section of the country to an
other, leaving many of their skilled
workers behind. and an effort will
be made to send these workers, many
OF whom are out of work, to the
factories that need them.
State occupational advisors of the
selectlve service system are to be
supplied with the list of industries
which the Munitions Board is eX-
pected to compile and those officers
will keep in close touch with the
general and regional industrial Sit
uation.
There Is said to be a particular
shortage of operators of machines
that make tools needed in many
vital industries and it was pointed
out that a long apprenticeship is
required to qualify for this work.
The optical glass industry has been
greatly expanded by the demand for
range finders and other delicate in
strumentS of military use, and a
shortage of those skilled in making
them is reported. Other industries
have similar shortage in highly
skilled positions.
Few Federal workers called under
the selectiVe service law will be de-
ferred from military training be-
cause they are considered, in the
language of the act, necessary
men, to an industry or occupation,
it was predicted at national selective
service headquarters.
While The status of Government
employees, here and in the field,
whose numbers are drawn after they
register October Is, will be up to
each local draft board to decide in
dividually doubt was expressed that
many would-or should-be re-
garded as necessary men"
This point was discussed at a
press conference late yesterday by
Maj. Joseph F. Battley of selective
service headquarters, just back from
Nationwide air tour, during which
he discussed occupational deferment
with key officials in many States.
No Blanket Deferments.
The local board is the sole arbiter,
subject to review by a regional ap-
peal board, and there are no blanket
deferments by industries, profess
sions or other occupations, he en-
phasized, but he added:
while naturally I don't know
what the local boards will decide
in the various cases, think that at
these headquarters and at the War
Department, for instance, and at
most of the other Government
agencies few men will be consid-
cred necessary. It's likely that
boards will hesitate to certify a man
as irreplaceable as long as the civil
service lists contain others who can
be used in the same position
This, of course, means only Fed
eral workers who have no depend
ents and otherwise are eligible for
immediate service. There is the