Evening star., 1942-11-06
Draft Chiefs Oppose
SeIective Service Shift
To Manpower Group
Advocates Of Change
AssuiIed os FoiIine to
Note Problems Involved
BY JESSE o. IRWIN.


change in the principle of selec-
ton by local boards of men for
induction into the Army fail to
understand the problems in
volved in mobilizing men and
women within our Nation for
var"
These sources asserted that
such thinking is based on "care-
less reliance on isolated statistics,
disregard of two years successful
day-by-day operations of the selec-
tive service system, and complete
Indifference to the chaos which
would follow the destruction of the
system with nothing but a paper
organization to replace it."
The sources we're directing their
statement at the reported proposal
of the War Manpower Commission
to President Roosevelt to give it
complete control over the admins
trative functions of the selective
service system.
They were also aimed at the To-
1an-Pepper bills which seek to place
all manpower, procurement and pro-
duction administration under an
Once Of War Mobilization.
Certain to Cause Impact.
Informed sources, which are re-
ported to be close to the Selective
Service Administration, said Sue
cessful selection of men for the
armed forces from within the age
groups liable for military service de-
pends on the democratic process of
selection by your neighbor."
Contending that "our enemies will
be defeated on the battle field and
on the sea-" they stated that "the
withdrawal of millions of men from
industry and agriculture" to fight
these battles lis certain to cause an
impact regardless of the agency
making the withdrawal"
The sources added:
~Afters the needs of the armed
forces are filled, there will remain
S. to so million men and women
available as workers, with Is to 20
million additional woman home
makers who can be recruited in an
all out mobilization. When prop
erly used, this is an adequate man.
power pool for the home front.
Technical Skills Needed.
productivity of the Nation would
be increased by longer working
hours, by reducing absenteeism, by
eliminating the time interval be-
tween jobs. by training and upgrad-
ing, by better supervisory methods,
by improving working conditions,
and by maintaining the very highest
morale and war consciousness
among workers.
The armed forces need men who
have already acquired skills. In
mechanical warfare, practically
every soldier and sailor must have
or must acquire a skill. The
need of skills in the Army alone is
illustrated by the fact that the rec
ords of the adjutant general show
that 1000 technical engineers have
been inducted where 5,400 were re-
quired; that $4,000 machinists have
been inducted where 81, 1000 were re-
quired; that 1000 toolmakers have
been inducted where $500 were re-
uuired; that $500 electricians have
been inducted where 30,500 were re-
quired, and that $4,000 miners were
inducted where $4,000 were required
Men and women, both skilled and
unskllled, required to maintain Ca
pscity production Of essential agri-
culture and war industry must be
supplied from those not required for
military service. AS rapidly as pos
sible they must replace physically
fit men needed for military service.
The manning table program provides
an inventory of worker requirements
and a basis for the orderly with
drawal of physically fit men OF mill
tary age as requirements are availa-
BILE from the balance Of the popula-
ton.
Open, Honest Process.
Through the local board each
community has part in the war
effort. The method Of selection is
open to public inspection. The men
making the selection are not in
fluenced by monthly pay checks.
Ten million parents have been to
date we'll content with the method
by which their sons have been cho-
sen. They expect other men to pass
before the same open, honest process
of selection.
"It is harmful to the war effort to
attack local boards. and by general
and unsupported statements. to un-
dermine public confidence in them.
It would be unwise to take out OF
their hands the functions of classi-
fication of registrants. Such func-
tionS cannot and must not be placed
in the hands OF paid Government
employees. The real problem is to
supply local boards with all possible
assistance and information, in usa-
bic form, so that their judgment
may be as nearly perfect as possible,
taking into consideration the magni-
tude Of their task and the fact that
they are, after all, human beings.
"Occupational classifications have
been as sound As the information
would permit. Improve
ments will be possible only II We all
work to the end Of securing better
information.
Substitute Not Explained.
: mo one has demonstrated how any
for the local boards would
operate. No one has pointed to the
methods Of classification which
would be followed. No one has indi-
Gated where the personnel would be
found to operate the substitute sys-
TEN. Until these factors are dis
closed and carefully weighed against
the record Of performance Of the se-
1ective service system, it Is folly to
public confidence by At
tacking local boards rather than CIV
ing them what additional help would
Be available II our energies were
in that direction.
"A study Of the occupational ques-
tonnaire would indicate that = So
Mtion to the problems Of industry,
- far a. skills are concerned, viii
Be found by inducing persons who
hava needed ekillG to Use them,