Evening star., 1940-09-27
Senate 10 Act Fast
On New Defense Bill
For S1,469, 100000
Measure Covers Cost
Of Druft and Record
Peocetime Army
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Administration leaders looked to
the Senate today to duplicate the
Houses swift action on the S1469,-
993, ,636 defense appropriations bill,
which carries funds for the conscrip-
ton program and creation Of an
unprecedented peacetime Army Of
l .399 AL men in the next nine
months.
Last of the big defense money"
bills expected in the current session,
the measure would boost defense ap-
preparations to $l2,l36,832,5l6. The
House passed it on voice vote yes
terday a few hours after it had
been brought out of committee.
The measure provides the money
to put into operation legislation au-
thorizing the registration of 16.500.-
900 men October Is and for drafting
at least 695, ,990 of the registrants.
The bulk Of the money would be
used to feed, clothe, pay, equip. train
and otherwise provide for these
trainees and for the 346 l30 National
duty. Funds for a Regular Army
of 375, 900 already have been pro-
vided.
Provides Plane Speedup.
Although leaders forecast addi-
tional funds would be needed for
defense, they indicated the admin
istration would make no additional
requests at this session.
The House Appropriations Com
mittee said that. so far as it was
advised, funds already voted and
those which would be provided in
the pending measure go las far in
the marshaling process (of the Ma
tion's strength for defenSel as is
considered feasible and practicable
at this time by our military and
naval leadership"
In addition to funds for the ex-
panded Army. the bill carried s165.-
100000 in cash and sl50000000 in
contract authorizations for expedit-
ing production of fighting planes to
a volume Of 1900 monthly.
Senator Thomas, Democrat. of
Utah protested yesterday against
War Department refusal to accept
Immediately voluntary enlistments
for one year as permitted under the
Selective service law.
Terrible Mistake" Charged.
While Army officials reported
large enlistments for a three-ycar
term in the Regular Army, they
said they had not accepted enlist
ments for the one-year training
period. leaving it to draft boards
10 turn over the one-year lolun-
teers to the Army after October IS.
Senator Thomas introduced the
amendment to the law which per-
mits the voluntary one-year enlist
ments and which also lowered the
age limit to l8 years.
Il think it is a terrible mistake"
he said. for We said In adopting
the amendment the Army would ac-
cept the volunteers. I considered
it happy compromise between
those opposed to the draft and those
who favored it. Right now the
NC d(SCPllIIs
volunteers and especially those who
are 18 years old"
Senator Thomas said he had dis
cussed the question with Army Of
fcials and believed acceptance Of
the volunteers would speed creation
of an efficient Army.
Prompt action was sought In the
House, at the War Departments re-
quest on legislation TO pay rental
allowance of S2250 a month for
families of career" enlisted men of
the Regular Army and active Ma
tional Guard.
Requested by Secretary Stimson,
a measure to provide the allowance
was reported favorably Wednesday
by the Military Affairs Committee.
Chairman May said unanimous con.
sent would be asked for a vote on
Tuesday.
Members said they heard reports
numerous designations were threat
ened by top-ranking National Guard
sergeants unless provision was made
for their families The selective
service act gives those with depen-
dents the right to resign within 20
days after their induction into active
service.