Evening star., 1940-08-05
Compulsory Military Training
Bill Is Passed by Senate Unit,
13 to 3, With Minor Changes
Measure to Call Out
Guard Up for Debate
This Afternoon
(See Digest on Conscription Bill
On Page A-10)
By ROBERT BRusKIN.

On Page A-10)
BY ROBERT BRUSKIN.
The.Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee today approved by a vote Of
13 to 3, the Burke-Wadsworth COM
pulsory military training bill. The
action was taken in a stoxny execu-
tive session in which amendments
limiting conscriptiop were refused.
Opposition votes were cast by
Senators johnson, Democrat, of
Colorado; Lundeen, Farmer-Labor
OF Minnesota, and Thomas, Rep,lo-
lican, of Idaho. Senator Downey,
Democrat of California, aid not
vote and Senator Slattery, Demo-
crat. Of Illinois, who was absent, was
recorded as not voting.
Senators recorded in favor of the
bill were Sheppard, Democrat, of
Texas chairman; Reynolds, Demo-
'crat, Of North Carolina; Thomas
Democrat, of Utsh; Minton, Demo-
crat, OF Indiana; Lee, Democrat, of
Oklahoma; Hill, Democrat, of Ala
bsna; Chandler, Democrat, of
Kentucky; Smathers, Democrat, OF
New jersey. Austin. Republican, of
Vermont; Schwartz, Democrat, OF
Wyoming; Gurney, Republican, of
South Dakota, and Holman. Repub-
lican, of Oregon. Later, committee
attaches announced that Senator
Bridges, Republican, of New Hamp-
shire, who was absent, asked to be
recorded in favor of voting for the
bill.
Minor changes were made in the
measure, chiefly one which would
extend the job-saving provisions to
Reserve officers and men of the
land and naval forces who already
are on active duty as volunteers. It
was inserted to assure certificates
OF service particularly to National
Gua1dsmen, who may be called up
before conscription becomes effec-
tive.
Guard Bill Up for Debate.
The committees action was fol-
lowed by general debate in the Sem
ate on the bill authorizing the Pres
ident to call out 243,000 National
Guardsmen and 1000 Reserve off,
GERS.
During debate on this bill SEN
ator Sheppard declared: Il am con-
vinced that Hitler will try to at
tack the United States or else I
wouldn't be here asking for pas
sage of this bill"
He explained that under its
features approximately 5000 men
would be called Immediately and
that the others would be summoned
as soon as housing facilities are
available.
Approximately $4,000 National
Guardsmen, 10000 Reserve officers
and about $4,000 other Reserve
Corps enlisted men would be af-
dected by the measure.
If such an immediate emergency
as to justify draft exists why not
call all $4,000 National Guardsmen
out Immediately" asked Senator
Taft, Republican, of Ohio.
There isn't sufficient equipment"
replied Senator Sheppard.
Wheeler Wants Enlistments.
Senator Wheeler, who previously
had expressed his opposition to con-
scription, declared on the floor that
before any such drastic attempts
were made to bulwark the Nations s
man power, enlistments should be
opened on large scale.
He pointed out that many States
have more applicants than OPEN
1ngs for c. c. c. jobs.
I'VE ought to try more enlistments
before we violate every tradition Of
this democracy" he added.
He read newspaper clipping of a
story which quoted Maj Gen James
K. Parsons, chief of the Sd Corps
Area, with Offices in Baltimore. as
worning against "alarmists" in this
country.
Wheeler contended that most of
the emergency" has been manufac-
tured by "propagandists" who, he
said, wanted to scare the Senate and
the people of the country Into CIV
ing dictatorial powers to some one "
THE only emergency I can see is
that the election is coming on, )"
Wheeler declared.
The job-protection provision in
the Burke -Wadsworth bill was Of
fered by Senator Austin and was
approved.
Senator Lee reoffered his amend
ment made last week which would
have limited the War Department to
call out only 100000 conscripts Oc-
tober l and 100000 more April l.
The President would be forced under
this measure to seek new authorize
tions each year to call out other
conscripts. This was voted down by
q majority.
At the suggestion of the War De-
partment, an effort was made te
exempt senior year divinity students
from conscription. This was refused
2 to 4.
An attempt was made by Senator
johnson to have former Secretary
of War Woodring called to testify
his opposition to conscription, but
the committee, obviously working
with administration backing fol
speed, turned it down 10 to 4.
Pay Increase to Be Sought.
Committee members indicated
that an amendment would be
offered on the floor of the Senate
to increase Army basic pay from
$21 to $50 month, as recommended
by Gen. George G. Marshall, Army
chief of staff.
AS provided in the amended bill,
every male citizen Of the United
States between the ages of 81 and
81. inclusive, shall be liable for con-
scription. Testimony has indicated
that OF the approximately 12,O00,-
600 in this age group some 4,500, ,00O
will be eligible for consumption for
one year Of military service with
the Army, Navy or Marine force.