Evening star., 1942-04-28
Veterans Held Irked
By Lack Of Questions
On Military Training
Questionnuires to Be Sent
45-64 Reeistronts Will
Cover CiviIion Skills Only
Nv MIRIAM GUTENBERG.

By MIRIAM GUTENBERG.
While veterans in the 1854 class
expressed resentment that questions
about their previous military train
ing were not included in the in
formation they were asked to sup
ply when they registered. it was
learned in official circles here that
no plans have been made for any
inventory of the older groups mil
itary experience.
Despite the fact that the 1854
age group includes most OF the
country's veterans. the only ques-
tionnaire the class win be sent, as
far as present arrangements 60. will
have to do with occupational skills
and experience.
Many veterans voiced the belief
that they could get into the war ef-
fort quicker if they had been asked
a few simple questions about their
military as well as occupational
background when they registered.
Officially, this registration was no
different than the other three un-
der selective service, though these
men are not liable for military
service. The only difference in the
registration cards was the color
buff this time.
Up to Man Power Commission.
Contrasting with the anxiety OF
the majority of those who registered
to be assigned some role in the war
effort was the vagueness on the
part of officials as to just what
is to be done with them,
1t was the job of Selective Service
to register the men. The question
naies will also be channeled through
Selective Service, but what is to be
done after that is up to the War
Manpower Commission to decide.
AS Federal Security administrator,
Paul v. McNutt, who is also chair
man of the newly created Manpower
Commission, announced that men
in the IS through "a group would
get the same occupational ques-
tionnaires as those sent to the
younger men. Nothing has been
said to revise that, and the occupa-
tional questionnaires go into detail
about all things but military train
ing.
A spokesman for Mr.. McNutt said
yesterday that the occupational
QUESTIONABLE would be the only one
the 1854 group would receive.
Just when they will get the
questionnaires is another moot
question. The Government Print
ing Office, which turns them out, is
swamped with orders, including the
sugar rationing cards.
The draft boards have only
started sending out occupational
questionnaires to the men who reg
istered February is. After that
group of registrants is taken care OF,
the remaining men in the two
earlier registrations will get the oc-
cupational blanks.
Six Weeks Delay at Least.
1t was estimated that at least six
weeks would pass before the draft
boards got around to sending out
the Questionnaires to the men in the
1855 group-that is, If they can get
the questionhaires from the Gov
ernment Printing ONCE by that
time.
More time will elapse while the
questionnaires are being channeled
on to the United States Employment
Service. where they are to be sep
| arated by trades and according to
| the skilled and unskilled.
After that, what? Officials can't
say They point out that the Man
Power Commission may discuss the
matter when it holds its first meet
ing around May T.
II the commission feels. with the
| veterans, that military training
would have many uses even in nom
combatant duty, they may order an
other questionnaire-a task which,
judging from the weeks it took to
prepare the occupational question
naire-would not be accomplished
| overnight.
/ The veterans and the rest of the
$4,000, 900 men in the 1854 group
apparently are not to be given their
roles in the war effort for a while
yet-unless they find a place for
themselves.