Evening star., 1941-09-09
24o SeIectees Leave Capital
To Begin Army Duty Today
Districts Largest Contingent Departs
For Baltimore and Richmond Centers

Eight busloads of selectees. rec
ord one-day total for the District,
pulled away from the old National
Guard Armory this morning on the
way to Army induction centers in
Richmond and Baltimore.
In the contingent of 1872 white
and lit colored selectees were many
had been drawn early in the second
Selective Service lottery less than
two months ago.
Arriving early at the armory to
wish them godspeed was District
Selective Service Director william
E. Leahy. He drew laugh from
the boys when he commented that
he was "glad to see you all so happy
about going"
Leahy Talk Cheered.
The faces of the young men were
grave when he told them:
There are two ways you can do
this job. You can either do it
right or you can feel that you're
one of the unfortunates who have
been drafted.
IF this country isn't worth fight
ing for. then we're no good
As a last assurance, he said, We're
pledged to see your jobs will be
waiting for you when you come back.
God bless you and good luck"
The men cheered and applauded.
A moment later, suitcases in hand,
they filed down the steps to their
second farewell. Waiting for them
beside the buses were mothers,
sisters and sweethearts.
James H. Ferry, vice president of
the Potomac Electric Power Co., was
there to say good-by to his son,
Charles.
Second From Family.
Another man turned away after
shaking hands with a selectee.
Well" he said, that's the second
one from my family. He's my SON.
in-law. My son has already gone"
A 35-year-old volunteer boarded
one of the buses. His engineering
job has carried him all over the
world and he speaks five languages.
Il wanted to do something" he ex-
planned. He will go into the Signal
Corps.
Packing away the suitcases. a bus
driver who has taken five loads to
Richmond, remarked. "Well, this is
my last load. I want to help my
country out, too. I'm enlisting next
week"
In a few moments the take 1t
away" signal came and four buses
swung south for Richmond and four
turned north for Baltimore.
Backing up the assurance given
these selectees that they will have
jobs to come back to, Director
Leahy today urged the cooperation
Of every employer in the District 20
see that every returning soldier has
job when he comes home.
VIII Help Get Jobs.
He announced that the Selective
Service system will give the same
assistance in finding jobs for all
men completing their terms of serv-
ice in the Regular Army, Navy and
Marine Corps as it does to its own
selectees and members of the Ma
tional Guard.
'It is not merely q question of
obligation imposed by law" he said.
'It is moral and patriotic re-
sponsibility of all employers to make
certain that these men who have
made sacrifices to fit themselves for
the armed defense of our liberties
be protected themselves from any
unnecessary hardships."
He urged the same spirit of CO.
operation to give jobs to as many as
possible of those who do not have
jobs awaiting them. Reports from
draft boards, he added, indicate that
the vast majority of District en-
ployers of selectees and other re-
turning soldiers have the disposition
to exceed rather than evade their
obligation under the law.
Hawkes. Makes Appeal
At the same time, Albert w.
Hawkes., president of the United
States Chamber Of Commerce, today
appealed to business men through
out the country to provide employ
ment for the 100000 men who will
be released from Army duty within
the next four months.
There should be no doubt in the
mind Of any man in training" he
said. @about the efforts which have
been made on his behalif when
he steps out OF uniform. The busi-
ness men Of the country have the
deepest interest in the welfare of
the men who are in military train
ing.
There is no better way, to express