Evening star., 1940-10-15
Dykstra Confirmed
AS Draft Director
By Senate Action
Preparations Complete
For Registration Of
16,50O,000 Men
By CARTER BROOKE JONES.

BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.
Nomination of DR.. Clarence A.
Dykstra, president of the University
of Wisconsin, to be director of Sc
lective service was confirmed by the
Senate today, placing him at the
lever of the machinery that will
register tomorrow an estimated l6,-
SOC, 1000 men and launch the largest
peace time army i'll the ccuntry's
history.
The Senates confirmation was
unanimous after a delay of "a hours
had been demanded yesterday by
Senator Holt. Democrat. of West
Virginia on procedural grounds. DR..
DykStra, who was city manager OF
Cincinnati before going to the uni
versity, remained at Madison, Wis,
pending Senate action on his NOM
ination, which President Roosevelt
made yesterday. The educator was
expected TO fly to Washington late
today or tomorrow.
DR.. Dykstra will head a group at
National Selective Service head
quarters which has been working
at high speed for weeks perfecting
plans for registration. classification
and induction of the manpower
called for in the defense program
The group consists of Regular Army
and Navy officers, Reserve officers
and civilian employees. The head
rio &c !, ;r,, ~
ment house at Twenty-first and c
streets NV.
Task of Organization.
The task of selective service head
quarters has consisted largely of
organizing the country for the draft
and in drawing up regulations to
carry out the selective service law
The actual power behind the act
the right to select. reject and defer
men called for potential military
service-is vested in $500 local draft
boards, subject to review by regional
appeal boards.
From every section of the country
came word today that preparations
were complete in every detail for the
registration of every male citizen
and alien resident between the ages
of 81 and So. With approximately
| 1000 900 registrars listed, there were
more volunteers ready to step in and
help wherever they were needed, it
was said at headquarters.
The Senate Immediately notified
President Roosevelt of its action in
order to hasten the time when DR.
/ Dykstra may become active head OF
the draft organization.
Unanimous approval was required
because less than quorum of the
Senate was present at session
called only for the purpose of acting
on the appointment.
Will Receive $4,000.
Under the Conscription Act, DR.
Dykstra will receive $4,000 a year
and may appoint staff of assist
ants needed to carry on the big
preparedness job.
Majority Leader Barkley, recalling
that DR.. Dykstra left a s25.000-a
/
come a university president at a
lower salary, told the Senate that
the educator made a similar per-
sonaI financial sacrifice to take the
KEY conscription post.
Senator Holt, who delayed con.
firmation of DR.. Dykstra yesterday
told the Senate today he did that
because I'm getting tired of sitting
here in the Senate and having the
Senate Jump every time the Presi'
dent snaps his finger"
Holt Blames President.
Saying that Congress had passed
the Conscription Act nearly q
month ago. he declared that 81
there has been any delay on this
I appointment it can be placed di.
rectly at the door of the President
who has been SO busy with defense
tours and visits to Hyde Park
Senator Barkley, thanking Sena-
tor Holt for not objecting TO con-
firma ton today. said he was sorry
that the West Virginian had criti-
ciZed the President.
! Mr. Roosevelt he said had rOn-