Evening star., 1942-04-10
Considering
Registration Of
Women, 1855
President Reveals
Study of Plan on
Voluntary Bosis
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

voluntary WdE IeS lSII dtlOIl VI
all women between 18 and IS Is
being seriously considered by the
Government, President Roose-
welt told his press conference to-
day.
Explaining this might be done in
the course of mobilizing in the Ma
tion's entire man ond woman power
for the war effort, the President
disclosed further that consideration
is being given to setting up single
new overall agency to administer
this mobilization program.
AS an alternative, and Mr.. Roose-
welt indicated his tentative prefer
ence for this choice, small co-ordi-
mating body might be set up to
integrate all existing Government
agencies concerned with training or
ALLEGATION Of man-power resources.
Awaits Budget Recommendations.
On another subject, Mr.. Roosevelt
said he had not yet received from
the Budget Bureau any recon-
mendations on dependency allot-
ments for men in the armed services.
He said he had not made personal
study of this problem, but he indi-
Gated that he expected the bureau
to submit some material to him.
The Presidents discussion Of the
registration of women in the Ma
tions war activity came after ques-
tioning about planned disposition OF
men As through "a years of age,
who are now required to register
under Selective Service on April 27.
Without giving a specific answer,
Mr.. Roosevelt said this segment of
the male population will be con-
cerned with the civilian man power
mobilization program, and he then
added that woman power likewise
would be involved. 1t was then that
he remarked that serious considera-
ton is being given to the voluntary
registration of women in the l8-to-
65-year bracket.
Problem Too Difficult.
Actually, Mr.. Roosevelt went on,
the registration of women had been
considered for April 81 but the great
mechanical problem of handling
additional millions Of names had
seemed too difficult.
Consequently, he said, If such reg
istration eventually is decided upon
it will come at later date.
A bill, introduced by Representa-
tive Baldwin, Republican, of New
York, on March 18 and now pending
in the House Military Affairs Com
mittee, would amend the Selective
Service Act to include compulsory
registration of women in the l8-to-
65 age group "to provide complete
information as to the capacity and
availability of the registrants fer
service, civilian or military, in con-
nection with the prosecution of the
war"
When a reporter suggested that
the registration mechanics might be
turned over to the women them
selves, the President admitted this
might be a solution Of that problem.
Asked then what the women would
be used for, he replied that a deter
mination of that question would be
one of the purposes of the registra-
ton.
Cites Possible Posts.
In discussing the matter of an ad-
ministrative agency for mobiliZing
the Nations civilian resources, the
President referred to such existing
organizations as the United States
Employment Service, the National
Youth Administration and the labor
division of the War Production
Board
He said there is serious question
as to whether it is desirable to set up
another overall agency to take in
these existing services.
Although he said there might be
decision on the mobilization and
administrative questions within
week, he cautioned the conference
against holding him to that promise.
The man power mobilization project
actually has been under discussion
for many weeks, with several existing
agencies, including the Department
of Labor and the Federal Security
Administration, believed desirous Of
assuming the task.
Organized labor, which would be
affected very broadly by any ap-
proach to ALLEGATION of the labor
supply, has stated its preference for
vesting administration of this pro-
gram in the Labor Department.
The President was to meet later
today with his Labor War Board.
composed of c. I. o. and A. r. L.
representatives. This group already
has consulted with him on the man
power mobilization problem and
probably will continue its conversa-
tions today on this matter.
The President said that he, liter
ally, had not heard a word about
the possibility of the Navy's taking
over operation of the Merchant
Marine for the wars duration. Sec
retary of Navy Knox indicated re-
Gently that some consideration was
being given to such a step.