Evening star., 1940-08-09
Draft Is a Tragic Necessity
To Plug Gaps in U. S. Defense,
Sheppard Says, Opening Debate
Volunteer System
Too Slow Now,
Texan Declares
BY the Associated Press.


Senator Sheppard, Democrat, of
Texas, opening argument for the
Burke -Wadsworth compulsory mill
tafy service bill, told the Senate to-
day that conscription had become
"a tragic necessity" because emer-
gency defense. preparations could
not be accomplished speedily enough
by voluntary enlistments.
"The doctrines and aggressions of
certain dictator-controlled nations
become every day more menacing
toward the free and independent
democratic countries" Senator
Sheppard asserted in urging adop-
ton of the measure, which would
require an estimated 100000 men
from 81 through 30 years of age to
register.
"The bloody conflicts they have
imposed on many of such countries
outside the United States and are
still imposing on those countries"
he continued, call for the imme-
diate establishment by the United
States of a nucleus of armed forces
AL GLlC Oil oll pllC SSd cl1SA OAl lain
properly equipped and capable OF
expansion within an adequate time
into proportions sufficient to over
come attack on the United States or
the Western Hemisphere.
Advocates Larger Army.
1.-THE time element is tragic ne
cessity. because the voluntary sys-
tenn cannot accomplish the emer-
gency work absolutely needed"
Senator Sheppard contended that
a larger Army was needed imme-
diately to protect American inter-
ests in the Western Hemisphere,
warning that if the Panama Canal
were put out of commission, "our
Navy would be helpless"
There can be no withdrawal from
Panama, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or
Alaska without vital disaster" he
warned. ITO permit these strategi-
cal areas to fall into the hands of
any enemy would jeopardize the
security of the continental United
States itself"
Previously, Senator Sheppard had
announced that the Military Affairs
Committee, which he heads, would
invite Gov. Lehman of New York
and Gov. ODaniel of Texas to
testify in open hearings next week
on legislation to set up home
guard" force.
Home Guard" Considered.
Several suggestions, including one
by President Roosevelt that World
War veterans be called into "home
guard" service, have been considered
by the committee, the chairman said.
He said Gov. Lehman had pro-
posed that additional units of the
National Guard be organized and
equipped with Federal funds to take
the place of any that might be
drawn into Federal service under
legislation approved by the Senate
yesterday.
Gov. ODaniel suggested that Con-
gress authorize the setting up of
State troops, equipped and main
tanned by the State, he pointed out.
Overwhelming Senate passage of
the bill authorizing the President to
muster the National Guard and
Army Reserves has emboldened con-
scription advocates to propose a
broader registration program under
the compulsory service measure.
just before the Senate began de-
bate on the conscription issue, Sena-
tor Burke, Democrat, of Nebraska
disclosed that he had drafted an
amendment calling for registration
of all men from 81 through A. The
bill approved by the Military Com
mittee fixed the ages at 81 to 80,
inclusive.
Senator Burke said the Senate's
71-to-7 vote yesterday in favor of
legislation which could put the
Guard and Reserves into active serv-
ice was encouraging to those who
want to increase the number of men
subject to possible CONSUMPTION.
Would Double Registration.
His proposed change, he explained,
would make 24,000,000 men subject
to registration, instead of the 12,-
100000 contemplated in the commit
tee-approved measure. In either
case only those from 81 through 80
would be liable for immediate draft
and military duty.
The Senate adopted unanimously
an amendment by Senator Pittman,
Democrat, of Nevada to permit
Guardsmen and Reservists with de-
pendent wives or children to resign
within 20 days after enactment of
the measure. Only the day before
the chamber had defeated a pro-
posal to let any enrollee quit the
service.
Administrator forces, aided by
some Republican votes, beat off by
39-to-38 vote an amendment
by Senator Adams, Democrat, of
(See CONSCRIPTION, Page A-3)