Evening star., 1940-09-08
Odds 3O-7 Average Man Won't Be Drafted
May Be Even Longer After Congress Draws Up Final Bill
Conscripts to Be Placed in Regular Army Units
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A young man asks the Army some
questions about the draft:
O. What are my chances of being
drafted into the Army in 1910?
A. Roughly, about one in 80. The
odds may be longer. They can't be
figured exactly until the Senate and
House get together on the final
form on the draft bill, and the Army
can definitely line up its training
program. Personal circumstances.
too, will affect your chances. If
you are not called this year you will
have another chance of being draft
ed next spring.
@. If my number is called, do !
automatically enter the Army?
A. No. You first must pass en-
trance examinations. In the World
War the Army was surprised to dis
cover that one out of every four
men drafted was unfit for service.
@. What are the physical require
ments for Army service under the
draft?
A. About the same as for the
Regular Army-at least 5 feet
inches in height, weight over lis
pounds, certain number of teeth,
no lung trouble, general good
health, no incapacitating or dis
figuring deformities.
@. Are there other tests to pass?
A. Yes. The Army naturally de-
mands a standard degree of intel
ligence. Recruits probably will have
to pass the Army classification test
But the rules may be broadened to
admit men who cannot read or
write.
@. I've heard some talk that a
man would be exempted If his job
was considered a necessary occupa-
ton.
May Be Called Later.
A. Not exempted; deferred. He
might be passed over in the first
draft, but called to the colors later
In the last analysis, every man is
liable for military service in time of
national emergency.
@. On what grounds can a man
ask that his service be deferred?
A. Essential occupation, depend
ents, physical condition; or a pro-
vision of the law which covers
groups such as ministers, aliens,
some Government officials.
@. What is necessary cccupa-
ton?
A. Military service may be de-
ferred for man who is an essential
member of an essential enterprise,
including essential agriculture. A
local board will decide the issue in
each case.
@. Will conscientious objectors be
subject to the draft?
A. They must register. There
again, local board will decide the
merits of the individual case.
@. Then a man who seeks defer
ment will have to hire lawyer?
A. No. Advisory boards" of
lawyers will furnish free advice.
@. What about all these marriages
in the last few months? Will all
those fellows miss the draft?
A. The President will determine
the policy on that; the individual
case will come before the local Draft
Board.
@. Suppose the wife is working
and able to support herself. Will
the husband still be deferred?
A. That will be up to the local
board.
@. If single man is liable for
the draft, but is the main support
of his family, will he be deferred?
A. Yes. Definitely.
You're in the Army Now.
Q. All right. I'm drafted. How
much time will I have, after my
number is called, to get things
Strengthened out at home for my
year of Army duty?
A. Probably about 10 days or two
weeks.
@. How much pay will I get?
A. $50 a month, barring some last
minute change by Congress.
O.. How can I live on that?
A. Your board and lodging are
furnished, and so are your uniform
and equipment.
@. What living expenses will I
have?
A. Well, shaving cream, tooth
paste and things like that. All to-
gether, living expenses-not spend
ing money, mind you-probably will
come to SO or IS month.
@. Suppose I want to pick up a
little money on the side-selling in
surance, writing articles for the
home town paper or something like
that?
A. That will depend on the COM
manding officer of your outfit.
think, though, that you won't find
much time for running a business
when you're in the Army.
Q. Can I continue studying on
my correspondence course?
A. You will be encouraged to con-
tinue 1t.
@. Can I take my car to camp
with me?
A. The chances are you can't.
Under the crowded conditions we
will face on most Army posts there
just won't be room for a lot of cars.
@. How about keeping dog or
horse?
A. Same answer. If we let dogs
in, every man in the place would
have one.
@. Well, how about other things
golf bags, tennis rackets, musical
instruments, playing cards?