Evening star., 1941-12-14
Stimson Asks
Prompt Action
On Victory Draft
Bill Would Make
7h Million Available
For Combat Duty
By the Associated Press.


The War Department urged Con-
gress yesterday to make swift all
out" preparation for any eventuality
by requiring all men, 18 to 64. in
elusive, to register and by making
those from 19 to A, inclusive, liable
for military duty.
Secretary of War Stimson told
the House Military Affairs Commit
tee in letter that extension of the
present selective service system to
youths and older men should be ap-
proved with reasonable prompt
ness" so that framework could be
erected which will accomplish VIC
tory"
Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, Sc
lective service director, told the
committee during a long discussion
of the expanded program that I'VE
are presenting this bill as an all-out
measure"
Gen. Hershey estimated that. IN
cluding the 17500,00o men from 21
TO IS, inclusive, who already have
registered, the registration total
would reach about 100000. OF
these, 1t was believed some 100000
might be found available for COM
bat duty, although 1t was made plain
there was no intention to call any,
thing like that number to the colors
Immediately.
10 Billion Bill Rushed.
Elsewhere at the Capitol, a Sen
ate-House Conference Committee
worked with wartime speed on a
$40 1000 600, 900 military appropria-
tions bill, and adjusted all differ
ences between the two chambers.
which previously had passed the
measure in differing form.
Conferees said they ratified most
of the $4,000. 900 900 increases made
by the Senate. These included $780,
100000 for Navy fighting planes.
Otfer portions of the bill contain
money to equip an army of 1000 900
men fully. and to purchase certain
critical supplies" for any army of
5000 900.
Authorization for the NAVY to
take 10000 men from selective SER
vice rolls was written into the bill
by the committee. 1t also would al
low the Marine Corps to draft 10000
men. Heretofore, all selectees in
Quoted for training have gone into
the Army. Another committee-ap-
proved provision would remove the
existing limit of 600, 900 on the num-
Der of selectees who may be in
training at one time
The Senate and House are ex-
pected to take final action on the
bill tomorrow.
Vast Tax Measure Planned.
Congressional leaders went ahead
with plans to draft gigantic new
tax bill, possibly raising $500, ,00o.-
900 annually for the war effort. In
/ this connection, Chairman Dough-
ton Of the House Ways and Means
Committee said non-defense spend
ing must be cut to the bone because
'the world has never known any
thing approximating the cost in
volved in this worldwide struggle"
President Roosevelt signed bill
annulling legal restrictions on the
use of draftees and National
Guardsmen outside the Western
Hemisphere or American possessions.
The bill also keeps all Army per-
sonnel in service for the duration
of the war. Another measure re-
tanning Naval. Marine Corps and
Coast Guard enlisted men in service
for the duration also was signed by
| the Chief Executive.
Another defense measure signed
by the President during the day
authorizes the governor of the
Panama Canal Zone to restrict or
prohibit photographing, sketching
or making maps Of any part of the
Canal area.
Testifying as the committee began
hearings on the new draft bill,
Hershey urged a calm. cool" ap-
(See CONGRESS, Page AID