The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-20


 Congress to lower the minimum agC to 10 would force the army to aban. don It's plan to halt voluntary enlist. mentS. War Seccetary Henry L. Stimscn said recently that recruiting would Dc stopped after the current fever" of enlishInertS, brought on by Japans attack on Pearl Harhor subsidies.
 Chairman Robert P. Reynolds, D., N. O.. of the Senate military affairs committee, said the army had ex- pected some 5000 men to be added to the potential draft army from the l9.year age group, then added:
 "These are the type of men the army wants -. they will have to continue the recruiting campaign now"
 The army now accepts men as young aS ie as volunteers if they have the consent of their parents,
 The draft bill was approved as Chairman David l. Walsh, D., Mass, of the senate naval affairs commit tee, introduced leglSlation author. izing an increase in the enlisted strength of the Navy to B0O,0O0 and of the Marine Corps to i04,000 men. This would double tho present strength of both services.
 Walsh promised speedy action on the proposal, advanced by the Navy Department as step to keep man. power equal with itS construction program. Acting Secretary of the Navy James v. ForTeStal, in a let- ter to House Speaker Sam Rayburn. said the legislation was Q matter of special urgency; that the expan. sion program would require Q total personnel of 100000 men,
 As finally approved, the draft bill includes c senate amendment pro- viding for payment of S6,OOO to survivors of men who dle ifl action or to men who arc totally disabled while on active duty. It would pay Q similar sum to widows, children or dependents of the men killed in the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and in the attack on the Destroyers Kearny and the sinking of the Reuben James.
 Selective Service ofIicials estimate that the 20-44 age group could add 3 maximum Of approximately 7,0O0,. 900 men to the present draft army Of 76b,000 or more.
 They said l7,6o0,000 men between 2i and 3S registered in the first draft. These include 5000 900 in the 2l-28 class and some 100000 in the 2s-36 group.
 It was indicated that induction will continue at the present rate of 100000 Q month for the time being. How long that rate will continue de. bends on developments in the war theater.
 One draft of1icial said he hoped a policy would be established to bring all future eniistments under selecs tive service. The original act con- tained Q clause permitting men of draft age to volunteer for duty whenever they desired.
 If such policy were adopted, this official said, i've wouldn't have to worry about keeping track of the nations available Taanpower."
 Oflcials emphasized that some system will have to be established to protect industry from losing valu. able defense workers through TO. cruiting.
 We may have to refuse to accept any man for enlistment who is em. ployed in a defense industry" one ofacial said.
 The army also plans to relax some of It's regulations concerning the | equipment required before e man | can become inducted into service. | Ten camps will probably be set up | throughout the south to accommo. | date the new selectees, 1t was said.
 We are not going to take men in | before we have adequate equipment | for thir training and health" one | ofi1cial said. "But we are not going 10 make 1t quite as pleasant as 1t has been up to now. We haven't the time for that"