Evening star., 1940-06-21
Senator Burke Offers
Compulsory Training
Bill for 40,000,000
Measure Would Droft
Men Between Is and IS
or Defense Service

will be asked to give immediate
consideration to the plan.
Sponsored by the recently formed
National Emergency Committee of
the Military Training Camps Asso-
citation of the United States, the bill
would require more than 10000 900
men between the ages of 10 and IS
years to register. Those between
81 and As could be called for duty
IN the Army and Navy at the dis
cretion of the President, who would
be authorized to determine how
many are needed for defense, re-
gardless of whether the Nation was
at war. The designated number
would be selected by lot.
Men In the age groups between
l8 and 81 and between As and 65
would be called only for service
IN home defense units near their
homes.
In the preamble to the measure it
Is stated that "the Congress hereby
declares that the integrity and in
stitutions Of the United States are
gravely threatened and that to in
sure the independence and freedom
OF the people of the United States
1t is imperative that immediate
measures be taken to mobilize the
Nations strength"
The Congress further declares"
It is stated in the preamble, that
national strength depends not only
upon the possession of modern arms
but equally upon adequate forces of
well-trained men, and experience
mas shown that such forces cannot
be obtained by voluntary service, and
that in a free society it is just and
right that the obligations and risks
OF military training and service be
shared by all, so that every able
bodied man shall fit into his proper
place under q fair system of selective
compulsory military training and
Service."
Needed for Safety.
The sponsors, in statement
issued today by the National Emer-
gency Committee, said that I'VE need
not argue in this hour that no step
should be omitted which substan-
TALLY contributes to the safety of
our country"
AT the end of the present war"
the committee said, I'VE may find
on one side the Germans, armed and
powerful beyond any other people
IN the history OF mankind, presiding
over q lean and impoverished Eu-
rope, and on the other side the
Americas, ill-prepared for conflict
but abounding in living room, in
wealth, in food, in all those things
which Europe lacks and covets.
Gould any danger be clearer than
the prospect of such a situation?"
The bill is intended to develop an
Army and Navy-trained reserve of
100000 men. Each man selected
for active military service would be
required to undergo eight months
training. After this training, man
would be member Of the Enlisted
Reserve Corps for 10 years, or until
be reached the age of IS years.
IS Per Month Pay.
The bill provides for payment of
IS month and travelling expenses
to those taking the eight-month
training course.
Introduction of the Burke bill CO.
tncided with disclosure of War De-
partment plans to call some 5000
Reserve officers to active duty in
connection with the current Army
expansion. Additional thousands,
1t was said, would be ordered up to
handle the further anticipated in
crease in manpower. =
The Burke measure, it was ex-
planned, represents the thought and
opinions not only of the sponsors
Of the "Plattsburgh idea," but of
many prominent citizens in all parts
OF the country and of different polit-
acal connections, who were consulted
during preparation of the bill.
The proposed law would become
imperative on May IS, 1945, unless
continued in effect by further ac-
ton of Congress.
Among those taking active part IN
preparation of the bill are Tom r.
Wyles of Chicago, president of the
Military Training Camp Associa-
tion; Lewis w. Douglas, former di-
rector of the budget; President
James Bryant Conant of Harvard
University; Col. Julius Ochs Adler,
civilian aide to the Secretary of
War; President Harold w. Dodds of
Princeton University; Gen. John
MacAu.ey Palmer, U. S. A., retired,
former chief of operations for Gen.
Pershing in France; Elihu Root, jr.:
Howard c. Petersen, Douglas Ar
rant of Alabama, Ralph Lowell of
Massachusetts,, Joseph T. Ryerson
of Chicago, William T. Stewart,
Howard Slade and Peter Jay.
May Extend Period.
The bill authorizes the President
to assign men selected for training
and service to camps or units of the
land and naval forces of the United
States, including the National
Guard, II 1t is ordered into the ma
tional service. In case of national
emergency, the eight months train
ing period may be extended as long
as the national interest warrants.
4llC VI d11111lS VI AA1C1l ID W lllCluOC
"such vocational and educational
training as may be prescribed" and
, men in training and service shall
have an opportunity to qualify for
commissions as officers.
The act applies to all male citi-
Iens Of the United States, wherever
resident" and to every male alien
residing in the United States or its
possessions who has declared his in
tention to become a citizen. Men
who can show proof of membership
in "any well organized religious
sect" whose creed forbids participa-
ton In war would be exempted from
combat training and service, how
ever.
The President is authorized to
create home defense units of the
land and naval forces in such sizes
and numbers as in his judgment,