Evening star., 1942-09-25
Hershey Spokesman
Opposes Drafting Of
Essential Workers
1t. Col. KeesIing Testifies
Before Agriculture
Committee Of House
BY the Associated Press.

.
1t. Col. Francis v. Keeslirg, jr.,
Of selective service told the
House Agriculture Committee to-
day the Nation was getting into
a manpoWer, pinch" and that
local draft boards lacking men to
fill their quotas should not I'LL
them with men essential in other
work.
Col. Keesling testified on behalf OF
Maj. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, selec-
tice service director, who was before
the committee only few minutes
and arranged to return next week,
along with War Manpower Commits
sion Chairman Paul v. McNutt and
WPB Director Donald M. Nelson.
The committee, which has been
inquiring into the farm labor situa-
ton, complained to Col. Keesling
that local boards In many cases were
taking essential men out Of agricul-
ture because they had no other men
left.
In such cases, Col. Keesling said,
the boards should consult with their
State boards rather than arbitrarily
take men needed elsewhere.
Austin Drafting Service Act.
He told the committee that selec-
tive service recognized that not
every man could be in a uniform
that men were needed just as much
in production and agriculture.
In response to questioning by
Representative Pace, Democrat, o1
Georgia, Col. Keesling said he die
not know of any general appraisal
being made of the manpower need!
for all lines of work as well as fol
the armed forces.
Does anybody know the man.
power necessary just to produce
enough food?" Representative Pace
asked.
II don't know" Col. Keesling re.
piled. Il imagine the grand STRAIT.
egists are thinking about that"
At the other side of the Capito
Senator Austin, Republican, Of Yer
mont, said he was drafting ma
tional service act to require men II
the 18-45 age classes either to "worl
or fight"
The measure, said Senator Aus
tin, who Is assistant Republican
leader, would extend the liabilit.
to work to the 45-65 age group"
Would Restrict Enlistments.
Voluntary enlistments in the Ian,
Or naval forces by production, workers
or the appointment Of such person
as officers would be prohibited, Sen
ator Austin said, subject to ap
proval by local Selective Servic
Boards. The Senator told reporters
The bill would enable the Pres
ident to determine from time t
time, through the Selective Servic
System, what is necessary in the wa
of ALLEGATION of registrants for a.
adequate supply of production work
ers in war industries and agricultur,
and In the other occupations an
activities and employments in orde
to effectively prosecute the war an
: in order to maintain a proper bal
ance between such workers an
persons in the land and navs
forces"
Under the terms Of his bill, Sen
ator Austin said the President xvi
have authority to determine tn
liability of each Selective Servic
registrant and require him to pei
form farm labor or other labo
according to ,the findings of no
best his type OF labor would promot
!. the effective prosecution Of the war
Aimed to Ban Labor Piracy.
THE BILL" Senator Austin sal
"is designed to prevent piracy {
labor - Under this proposal ever
person who is liable for service {
a production worker will be require
to notify his Selective Service Boar
If he intends to change from or
occupation or activity to another.
After a hearing the local boar
Il 1see MANPOWER, Page 2-X)