Evening star., 1941-07-15
Responsibility
Up 10 Congress,
Rooseve|tSays
Extending Service
In Emergency Held
No Breach of Faith
Earlier Story on Page AID
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

PreSlQeNt Roosevelt SalO Iate To-
day that responsibility for preserv-
ing the effectiveness Of the growing
United States Army is squarely up
to Congress.
The President expressed his po-
sition in press conference in which
he in effect repeated his indorse-
ment of War Department recon-
mendations that men now engaged
in their initial year of training
should be subject to more extended
service.
At the same time the Chief EX-
ecutive answered charges that such
a step would be a breach of faith
against the men involved by point
ing out that original legislation for
the training program left the way
open for extending the period
through a congressional declaration
of national emergency or by amend
ment of the training act itself. In
this connection. MI Roosevelt cited
as an accurate statement of the cir
cumstances involved column writ
ten by Gould Lincoln and appearing
in todays editions of The Star.
Not Breach of Faith.
1t was implied in the contract that
world circumstances might force an
extension of training time. Presi-
dent Roosevelt concluded. and such
a step by Congress would not be a
breach of faith.
Mr.. Roosevelt described the prob
lem posed by the War Department
recommendation for military train
ing as very simple choice for Con-
gress to make: namely. whether it is
desirable or not 10 dlSintegrate the
United States Army. Under pres
ent law, permitting expiration Of
training service al the end of one
year, he said that the Army would
be dlsintegrated if two-thirds went
back to private life and their place
should be taken by inexperienced
officers and men
Earlier in the day. Robert P. Pat
terson. Acting Secretary of War,
formally advised Congress that the
President favored retention Of
Guardsmen, Reserve officers and Sc
lectees beyond the 12-month period
originally prescribed by Congress.
Also. Mr.. Patterson said the Pres
ident desired removal of the 100000
limitation on the number OF Sc
lectees which can be in service at
any one time
Mr.. RooSevelt's comment on the
subject Of extending Army training.
came during conference that
touched on many problems growing
out of the world crisis. ,
Discusses Tax Problem.
Having consulted earlier in the.
day advisers on emergency revenue
legislation and with others on price
control legislation. he was questioned>
at the conference about each. Re-
cent warnings that German peace
feelers have been circulated in this
country for the purpose of dimin-
ishing current preparedness and aid,
efforts also prompted comment.
In this connection. Mr. Roosevelt
was asked if he knew of any new
or increased activity of German
agents. Replying that he did not
think so, he went on to say that
many well-meaning persons have
come to Washington to tell of hear.
ing agitation for working out a
peace formula Although he stressed
that this word in many cases is
brought by Well-meaning persons,
he added he must admit that in,
some instances it must look like a
planted effort.
With regard to the tax problem!s =
the President said that his confer
ence with legislative leaders today
had been general in nature and that
there was no discussion of going
above the s35000O0.O0O now believed.
obtainable in the bill tentatively
drawn by the House Ways and
Means Committee. Mr.. Roosevelt'
repeated what he said last week to
the effect that increased appropria-,
tions and expenditures would be
cared for in revenue legislation next
tCoo I'D aErT Dooo W