Evening star., 1941-07-14


ercept in United States terri
tories and possessions. War De-
partment proposals for remoUtng
these restrictions hate stirred
storm OF controversy in Congress.
By the Associate Press.
President Roosevelt TODAY dis
cussed with Democratic and Repub-
lican leaders the controversial ques-
ton of extending beyond year the
active service OF selectees, Reserve
officers and National Guardmen. and
permitting their assignment outside
the Western Hemisphere.
Considerable opposition has de-
veloped in Congress 10 such a pro-
posal recently advanced BY Gen.
George c. Marshall, Army chief OF
staff.
In an effort to settle some Of the
problems involved. the Chief EXecll-
tive met this morning with seven
Democratic and two Republican
members of the Senate and House.
Gen. Marshall also was present.
IIc lDDh pldNt SllO1
after the President returned from
a weekend cruise on Chesapeake
Bay and the Potomac River.
Lawmakers at Conference.
The congressional members in
cluded Senate Majority Leader
Barkley. Chairman George of the
Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee, Chairman Reynolds of the Sen
ate Military Affairs Committee, Sen
ator Hill of Alabama. Senate whip
and member of the Military Affairs
Committee: Senator Austin Of Ver-
mont, assistant minority leader and
member of the Military Affairs
Committee: Speaker Rayburn, House
Ma Jority Leader Mccormack. Chair
man May of the House Military Al
fairs Committee and Representative
Wadsworth, Republican, of New
York
The Chief Executive has sue-
gested that 1t might be well to eT-
tend the service period. particularly
of men assigned to outlying posts
such as those in Alaska. Hawaii
and IN the Atlantic. Administra-
ton officials have taken the posi-
ton that maximum efficiency would
not be served if it we're necessary
continuously TO replace portions of
troops on duty at distant stations.
Meanwhile, the Senate Military
Affairs Committee deferred for
week consideration of legislation
which would authorize the Presi-
dent TO requisition private property
for defense purposes.
Chandler Asked Delay.
The commEttee was scheduled TO
take up the measure today, but
members said postponement was
agreed upon at the request of Sena-
tor Chandler. Democrat, Of Ken
tucky. who was out of the city and
unable to attend the meeting.
Although the bill is a modified
form of requisition legislation orig
inallv sought by the War Depart
ment. 1t was expected TO kick up
considerable controversy on the Sen
ate floor and Minority Leader Nc
Nary said Republicans generally
would oppose it.
Under it the Government would be
empowered to requisition private
property needed specifically for de-
fense purposes. The first version
sponsored by the War Department
would have delegated power to take
over property for virtually any pur-
pose the Government desired to
serve.
Senator Reynolds said he would
ask the Military Affairs Committee
to begin hearings Wednesday on
legislation to extend the active serv-
ice of selectees and National Guards
men and remove restrictions on
where they may be sent.
Gen. Marshall recently advised
congressional leaders, it was learned,
that unless Selectees are held in the
Army more than year. outlying de-
fense bases cannot be adequately
manned. Citing Hawaii, he was
quoted as having said large numbers
of troops would have to be brought
back from there in August because
of the approaching expiration OF
their years service.
Such transfers of men and the
dispatch of troops to replace them,
he declared, would REQUIRE the
maintenance OF sort of shuttle
service between the continental
United States and offshore bases.
Opponents of the bill were as out
spoken as its advocates, however,
and Senator McNary said it would
encounter strong minority opposi-
ton. He predicted that if it finally
passed the provision to permit send
ing the men outside the Western
Hemisphere would first be elm
| mated.
On the other hand. Senator Cur
ney. Republican, Of South Dakota,
member of the Military Affairs
Committee, said he thought speedy
enactment of the bill was necessary.
Convinced Men Are Needed.
Il am convinced he told re-
porters, that it will be impossible
| for the chief of staff to man our
OUTLYING bases with trained men
without being able to keep our Ma
tional Guard. Reserve officers and
selective service men on active duty
for more than year"
Norman Thomas, Socialist leader,
already has asked to testify and in
statement today the Socialist
party contended enactment of the
| legislation would be, in effect, "a
declaration of war"
They would sanction an A. E. F.
and entrance into actual shooting
by land, sea and air at any time
and at any place the President sees
fit" the statement added.
Talk of compromise centered
chiefly upon the point of service
duration and including some dis
cussion of incentives such as spe-
cial pay by which selectees would
be encouraged to remain in uniform