Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-23
President Asks Quick Action
On Se|ective Service Measure,
Citing Delays Awaiting Army
Lua of Two Weeks
More May Make Years
Difference, He Says
By JOHN c. HENRY.


President Roosevelt appealed to-
day for immediate congressional en-
actment of universal service legisla-
ton.
Making his most fortnight COM
ment thus far on this subject, the
Chief Executive told his press con-
ference that delay in enactment by
more than an additional two weeks
might make as much as years diff
ference in the mobilization of an
adequate American Army.
Reading from a memorandum sub
mitted to him by Secretary of War
Stimson, Mr.. Roosevelt said 400 900
men are needed to bring existing
units of the Army to full strength
and an additional 100000 needed for
supporting purposes. With about
100000 now in service. these addi-
tons would mean a standing army
of 100000.
Even at the present high rate of
recruiting, he said. it would take
another year to reach the 100000
total and an additional II months
to get to 200 600.
Guard Bill Action Complete.
Mr.. RooSevelt's plea for speed in
regard to consumption legislation
came almost simultaneously with
completion of congressional action
on a measure giving him authority
to call out the National Guard and
Reservists for a year of training
This legislation is estimated to in
volve approximately 100000 Guards
men and Reserve officers.
Mr. Roosevelts comment on the
consumption issue was in response
to a question about Senate pro-
posal to defer compulsory service
until January l, in order to give
the voluntary method an intensified
trial in the intervening months.
Personally, the Chief Executive
said. he is absolutely opposed to any
postponement in the compulsory
feature as involving nearly year
of actual delay. If we are invaded
on this continent, he remarked
grimly, we want to win: and if we
don't get CONSUMPTION bill right
away, there is going to be serious
delay.
Discussion has been under way at
the Capitol since June 30, he re-
minded his conference, and there is
still nothing but talk. That is why
he is asking for action now, he
added.
Answers Equipment Claims.
Mr.. Roosevelt took occasion to an
swer claims that insufficient equip
ment Is available for a draft Army
in the coming few months. Ac-
knowledging that concentration of
this summer has been on the let
ting of contracts for materiel, the
President said that much of the
equipment involved would be in the
delivery stage by spring. While
men without equipment are of rela-
lively little value, he said, equip
ment without men is likewise of no
use.
In discussing the time needed for
voluntary recruiting, Mr.. Roosevelt
emphasized at least twice that en-
listment rates at the present time
are very high but nevertheless in
adequate for the need.
Drawing on his observations at
the recent New York State Army
maneuvers, Mr.. Roosevelt said that
one of the important realizations is
that too many of the men in service
are soft. Despite their willingness
and obvious earnestness. he said, a
15-mile march would be a terrible
physical strain. BY contrast, he
went on, on the other side of the
ocean there are armies that can
march 80 miles a day and be in
fighting shape. This means an
awful lot, he added.
Returning to the question of avail
able equipment, Mr.. Roosevelt said
there is no shortage of such needs
as underwear, shoes or even rifles.
Plenty of each are available in the
ordinary channels of supply or al
ready in Government ownership, he
said.
Asking the pardon of woman re-
porters present, the President said
it was nice to be able to order special
B. V. DIS, but that it did not make
much difference whether underwear
was obtained by special order or
whether the Army went into regu-
lar haberdashery store to buy it.
There was plenty of such clothing
In the United States, he added, and
said a similar situation existed with
relation to shoes, since there were
plenty of good marching shoes in
the stores.
Time Needed for Training.
The Chief Executive likewise en-
phasized the need of varied technical
skills in modern army, pointing
out the relative length of time re-
quired to train men in their appli-
cation.
AS an example, he cited the use
of portable field radio sets, COM
monty known as "walky- talkies"
Another device requiring technical
skill is the airplane detector, he
said.
In connection with this problem
of technical skills, he pointed to the
er-increasing need of improved
co-operation between different units