Evening star., 1940-08-07
|Guard Bill Gets
Tentative 0. K.
|0f House Unit
Woodring Summoned
As Witness on
Druft Measure
BY ROBERT BRUSKIN.

and Reserve components of the
Army was tentatively approved to-
day by the House Military Affairs
Committee Chairman May declared
at the close of a love feast" execu-
tive session.
He said final approval will be
voted after the Senate votes on the
bill, scheduled for today, so that the
House measure may be expedited in
|concurring with amendments intro
duced in the Senate chamber.
Although the committee voted, II
to 10, yesterday, against recalling
witnesses for the conscription bill,
after bitter exchanges between Rep
Lresentative Faddis, Democrat, of
Pennsylvania, and Representative
Short of Missouri, the plan was re-
6vised today.
Woodring Summoned.
Chairman May declared there had
been no opposition to asking several
witnesses to appear Tuesday when
the committee considers the Burke
Wadsworth compulsory training bill.
= Mr.. May said those to be summoned
include former Secretary of War
Harry H. Woodring, who has ex-
pressed opposition to conscription;
Secretary of the Navy Knox, pro-
ponent of the measure, and former
Assistant Secretary of War Louis
johnson.
Gen John J. Pershing had also
been invited to testify.
Chairman May declared there was
"no opposition" to approval of the
+ Guard bill
Draft Bill Reported to Senate.
Earlier the 13 members of the
Senate Military Affairs Committee
who voted for conscription returned
a majority report on the compulsory
training bill, urging its prompt en-
sctment and declaring it was neces-
sary Ito insure the independence
and freedom of the people of the
United States"
Reasonable prudence demands an
immediate and substantial increase
! in our armed forces" the report de-
clared THE size of this increase
requires that haphazard and unpre-
dictable methods should not be used.
Therefore, this legislation provides
combination of the compulsory
seleetive method of procuring per-
sonnel for the land and naval forces
of the United States with the volun-
teer method"
Provisions of Bill.
The majority report pointed out
that the conscription bill provides
for one-year enlistments of men
between the ages of 18 and "a in
addition to drafting those between
81 and 81.
1t declared, ''It is too late to train
men after the emergency is upon us.
THE pages of American history
are replete with examples of indi-
vidually brave and courageous men
who fled from their adversaries be-
cause they had been hastily assem-
bled and herded into action without
time to perfect their individual or
team training or to develop con-
fidence in their leaders or in them
selves"
The responsibility for the sup
port of dependents is recognized and
provisions are made in the bill to
give consideration to individuals
who have such responsibilities" the
committee report declared.
Protection Emphasized.
"The purpose of this measure is
the protection of the United States
To insure the independence and the
freedom of the people of the United
States, it provides that immediate
measures shall be taken to mobilize
q large portion of the Nations mil
itary strength. Modern warfare de-
mands trained armies. Trained
armies are composed of trained men
men trained not only in the in
dividual duties of a soldier or sailor,
but as an integrated part of a
highly-complicated combat team"
Pointing out the exceptions taken
by many Senators that Congress
would have no control over the num-
ber of men to be drafted, the report
declared:
Congress retains control of the
numbers inducted by a provision
which prevents the induction of any
man unless and until Congress y
has provided funds specifically for
this purpose. Unless re-enacted, the
bill becomes imperative after May
Is, 1945."
1t declared that mo argument is
considered necessary to justify"
the need for increasing armed
forces.
Sentiment for Defense Seen.
at is believed the citizenry has de-
manded and Is insisting that we
provide an adequate defense. 3
It would be criminal to place these
e GS.c.c.x. E=E-<<,HI