Evening star., 1942-07-16
BY GOULD LINCOLN.

Plans for a permanent military
training system for the youth of
America are being studied by
Representative Wadsworth, Re-
publican, New York, one of the
authors Of the Selective Service
Act.
Mr.. Wadsworth, an authority
on military legislation since the
time when he was chairman of
the Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee Immediately after the last
war, is working on the problem
in conjunction with representa-
tives of the Army general staff.
1t is expected that after these
studies have been completed a
bill for this purpose will be
drafted for introduction in Con-
gress. There is no reason, in
the opinion of Mr.. Wadsworth,
why this legislation should wait
until after the conclusion of the
present war. Indeed, quite the
contrary. The danger to the
country is that, once this war
has been won, there will be the
same relapse into national indif-
ference to preparedness into
which this country reverted in
1920. Now, when the country is
fully aware of the need for mil
itary strength, is the time for the
enactment of such a measure.
Huge Army Being Created.
The Draft Act was designed to
meet the needs of the country in
the immediate emergency. Un-
der it the Army is being in
creased in size to reach strength
Of 100000 by the close Of the
year. In 1943 it is expected this
figure will be further enlarged.
Under terms of the act the
men are to be retained in the
service for the duration of the
war and six months beyond the
close of hostilities.
No one knows how long the
war is to continue. Once it is
ended, however, the drive to get
the men back into civil life will
be on. Plans must be made for
their return to civil life. At the
same time, plans must be made
to maintain q constant flow Of
reserves, men who have had mil
itary training and who would be
subject to call into active service
If the country should again be
threatened with war.
At the close Of the last war
strenuous efforts were made by
Mr.. Wadsworth, the members of
the then general staff and
others interested in building up
the national defense of the coun-
try to write into the Army Re-
organization Act q provision for
universal military training.
1t was proposed at that time to
call into training young men
from 10 to 81 for periods Of four
months. It went by the board.
however. The great mass OF
Americans were sick Of the war.
They had been told that the war
i was the war to end AL wars.
They had helped to win It. Con-,
gress quite naturally paid atten-
ton to public sentiment. The
Army Reorganization Act of 1920
was put through. As far as it
went it was good. It did provide
for reserve officers and for the
ROTC and for q certain amount
of military training for civilians
"a voluntary affair. The great
lack, however, was the enlisted
reserve.
War Might Have Been Averted.
Had a universal military train
act been put through in those
days this country would have had
millions Of young men in the re-
serve forces, men trained to arms.
With the United States prepared
as would have been the case, it
may well be argued that the
present war might not have de-
veloped.
It Is Mr.. Wadsworth's belief
that the period of military train
ing should be from 10 to II
months. A man who is drafted
today, raw recruit, is not placed
Immediately in military unit.
He goes to training center and
there for three months is given
intensive training. After that he
is sent to join regiment. His
training for service continues, of
course, after he has joined his
particular unit.
Two main reasons exist for the
adoption Of q permanent system
Of military training for the young
men Of this country. The first Is
for the adequate defense of the
country. Military strength is the
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