Evening star., 1941-08-19
Druft
Continued From First Page)

on completion of IL months service.
Details of this part of the plan have
not been completed.
In another step affecting the
armed forces. Mr.. Roosevelt signed
Into law a measure doubling the
bonus for immediate re-enlistment
of Navy and Marine Corps person
mel and providing that men who
enlist in those branches hereafter
may be held in service indefinitely
during a national emergency or war.
- Six-Year Mems Status.
Sponsors explained that the pro-
vision for indeterminate service
would not affect the tenure OF men
who previously had signed for a
regular six-year tour of duty. But
If thev re-enlist they might be re-
tanned in service for the duration OF
the emergency.
To encourage re-enllstments, Con-
eress provided that the present bo-
nus ranging from $25 to $50 per year
of service be doubled for immediate
re-enlistment. Thus man who had
served six years and had attained
one of the top three pay grades
would receive $500 bonus If he signed
I'D within "a hours of the compile
ton OF his enlistment period, but
only $500, the present rate, if he
waited as long as 80 days to sign.
Navy officials had complained that
-enlistments were declining be-
cause trained Navy personnel was
attracted by high wages PAID in de-
tense industries,
The purpose of the Army's new
policies is to permit training OF
greater numbers of officers and en-
listed men by replacing those now on
active duty as rapidly as the situa-
ton allows. The War Department
expressed hope that sit will not be
necessary to hold in service any in
dividual now in training for the full
term permissible under the law"
Inductions late last year to-
tailed approximately 100000 Ma
tional Guardsmen, 10000 Reserve
officers and 10000 selectees.
: 1,545, 400 in Army.
Figures issued last Thursday by
the War Department gave the total
Army strength as 1,545 400. A break
down follows:
Oficers-Regular Army, $4,000;
National Guard, 21,9O0, and Re-
serve officers, IS 1000, making a total
of 1O1 900 officers.
I Enlisted men-Regular Army.
three-year enlistments, 4S4,500;
Regular Army Reserves and one
year enlistments, 1880; National
Guard in Federal service, 100000,
and selective service trainees,
6S1, 500. The total in the three
branches was 1,443,500.
Total combined strength--Regu-
lar Army, $1,000; National Guard,
2s1,900; Reserve officers, IS, 900, and
selective service trainees, 681 500.
Legislation Signed.
President Roosevelt late yester-
day put his signature on the con-
troversial legislation which en-
powers him to keep Selectees, Ma
tional Guardsmen, Reseryists and
enlisted Regulars in service for 18
months longer than the present
legal period.
The formal order for the extern
sion of service was expected to be
forthcoming soon from the White
House, but it may provide some ex-
ceptions.
The order would make Regulars
subject to a maximum service OF
~ years. All others would be sub
$ect to 21a years.
The new law provides for S10-a-
month pay increase for men who
complete their first year of train
ing. 1t also eliminates the 100000
limit on the number of SelecteeS
who may be in training at one time.
Removal Of this limitation will
enable the Army to expand in an
emergency as rapidly as new men
can be absorbed.
Earlier in the day the President
also affixed his signature to legis-
lation relieving men % years and
older from active military duty
under the Selective Service Act.
This law provides mandatory de-
ferment for men not yet indicted
and directs that those of the speci-
fed age who request it shall be re-
leased from service "as soon as prac-
ticable and when not in conflict with
the interests of national defense"
The law requires that local draft
boards post conspicuously in their
Offices the names and classifications
of registrants. Immediately after
Mr.. Roosevelt signed the bill this
posting Of names was ordered by