Evening star., 1941-08-15
Senator Says Many
Won't Have 10 Serve
Extra Army Period
Men With No Special
SkiIIs Likely to Be
Released, Thomas Asserts
By the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, of
Utah, floor manager in his chamber
for the congressionally approved
service extension legislation, said
today that substantial number of
men might be released from the
Army before serving the additional
months provided under the measure.
Under the legislation the Presi-
dent is authorized to order an addi-
tional l8 months for ANY or ALL
of the selectees, Reservists, National
Guardsmen and Regular enlisted
men. The President could order an
extension of less than 18 months
If he so desired.
Senator Thomas told reporters
today it was unlikely that the Chief
Executive would issue blanket
order continuing all of the three
year enlisted personnel for 18
months.
Ready for Release.
There will be a certain group
which will be sufficiently trained
and ready for release" Senator
Thomas said. These should be
placed in the Reserves in order that
new men may be trained"
The Utah Senator said this group
to be released would consist largely
Of men who had no special Skills
He said 1t was likely that all tech
nicians and men with specialized
knowledge would be retained.
In some cases, Senator Thomas
declared, men who are ordered to re-
main in service for an additional 18
months may be released before that
period is up if the Army commanders
decide they are sufficiently trained
and the President authorizes their
release.
The draft extension measure, ap-
proved finally by Senate vote Of
81 to 19 yesterday, now awaits Mr..
Roosevelts assured signature.
At the War Department, officials
indicated that action would follow
swiftly on Mr.. Roosevelt's signing
of the bill. There was some specu-
lation that the department would
recommend that the President order
extension for all troops now on
limited duty but then would excuse
on an individual basis many thou
sands whose services were not con-
sidered essential.
Skilled to Be Retained.
For instance, the legislation pro-
vides that within the discretion of
the Secretary of War men % years
of age or older may be mustered out.
One estimate was that more than
100000 men in this age group would
be permitted to return home, but
that all those who are in skilled
positions or on duty at overseas
posts such as Hawaii or Iceland
would be kept in uniform.
Generally such action, it was said,
would be in line with the high COM
mand's policy of lowering the age
level of Army personnel, but at the
same time maintaining at the high
est possible strength the garrisons
of strategic outposts.
AS presently constituted, the Army
consists of 1,545 400 officers and men.
of whom $1,000 are Regulars and
1923 400 selectees, Guardsmen and
Reservists. -.'
Military authorities emphasized
that plans for holding the men in
service would not be rigid and might
be changed from time to time as
the needs of defense were altered
by the course of international de-
velopments. For instance, a grave
turn for the worse might bring a
cessation of any releases from serv-
ice whatever.
Legislation to lower the maximum
draft age from IS to % also awaits
signing, and unless Mr.. Roosevelt
signs or vetoes it by next Monday
it will become law without his sig
nature.
Mandatory Deferment.
The bill, which was sent to the
White House on August s, would
make mandatory the deferment from
selective service of men who were 28
years old on last July l and had not
been inducted, or who reach age %
on any subsequent July l without
being inducted
1t also would empower the Secre-
tary OF War to release from the
Army men who reached the age of
% on or before July l, 1941, and be-
fore their induction. Such releases
could be made "as soon as practicable
and when not in conflict with the
interests of the national defense"
Men released under that provision
would be transferred to Reserve units
for the same period and under the
same conditions as selectees who
complete their military training The
law holds such men in the Reserve
for 10 years or until they reach age