Evening star., 1942-10-13
Congress Spurs
Bill 10 Draft
1S,year.0|ds
Leaders Respond to
Roosevelt's Call
In Fireside Chot
(Tert on Page A-4.)
BY GARNETT d. HORNER.

tlOIl W lOWcT Clle uIdlt age lIOIl
20 to 18 as urged by President
Roosevelt in a report to the Ma
ton which also called for ra-
tioning of manpower and gave
renewed assurances of new Of
fensives" to divert Axis forces
from Russia and China.
First steps in Congress to imple-
ment the Presidents declaration
were being taken by the Senate
Military Affairs Committee which
will probably start public hearings
tomorrow morning on a bill to lower
the draft age to 10.
Secretary of War Stimson today
added his support to the Presidents
statement by asking the House Mill
tary Affairs Committee to expedite
legislation for the drafting of 1S
and 19 year old men.
In letter to Chairman May, Mr..
Stimson said the urgency of the task
of building up for the United States
the best army in the world cannot
be overemphasized."
Our own survival is in the ball
ance," he said. Its accomplish
ment demands the substitution Of
current necessity for our peacetime
preferences"
Necessity for Action Cited.
Mr.. Stimson said the necessity for
lowering the draft age was this:
That our Army be animated by
the youthful enthusiasms and re-
silence of spirit which has surged
through all earlier American armies;
that in our human desire to protect
the youth of our land We remember
the terrific pace of modern war,
that we realize, above every con-
sideration, the imperative necessity
of creating an Army as quickly as
possible more efficient, more deter
mined, more ardent than Europe
and Asia can produce after 10 years
of concentrated training and indoc-
trination.
Youth Jealous for power and de-
struction of liberty is the strength
of our enemies armies. American
youth Is our strength and despite
our wisfiful thinking or the dictates
of our hearts, the virility of our ef-
fort must take precedence. We must
face this truth; should be derelict
in my responsibility to this coun-
try and its heritage should I fail
to voice it,
Senator Gurney, Republican OF
South Dakota, author of the bill
suggested to Chairman Reynolds OF
the Military Affairs Committee this
morning that hearings start imme-
diately, and stated he has been in.
formed a favorable report on the
bill is on its way from the Wal
Department.
Senator Reynolds Office indicated
arrangements to bring Army on
GERS before the committee as the
first witnesses, were already being
made.
Spirit Declared Unbeatable.
Generally optimistic, the Chiel
Executive declared in his "firesidt
chat last night that Americas spirit
is "unbea table" that I'VE are getting
ahead of our enemies" in the battle!
of production and transportation
and that we ARE going to VIM thi'
war-"do not let any one tell 20,
anything different"
He emphasized, however, that tn,
more young, strong and thorough.
trained fighting men we send over
seas the sooner the war will be won
and the smaller will be the cost i,
casualties"
Therefore, the President said, I"
believe that it will be necessary t.
lower the present minimum age limi
for selective service from 20 year
down to 18. We have learned hov
inevitable that is-and how impor
tant to the speeding up of victory.
Hearings to Be Expedited.
Mr.. May, who previously had sal
he would have to be convinced {
the need of drafting younger mer
declared that in the light Of Nj
Roosevelt's speech his committe
would expedite hearings on tn
necessary legislation.
If the Commander in Chief say
he needs them," Mr.. May added,
will cooperate in every way and
am sure the Congress will 60 along
Majority Leader Barkley of Ken
lucky said he was sure tn
American people as we'll as Con
gress will react favorably" to tn
Presidents recommendations.
In regard to the problem of pre-
viding sufficient manpower for tn
Nations war Industries and farm
Mr.. Roosevelt said that if it was nj
solved by voluntary efforts I'VE sha
!. have to adopt new legislation" H
indicated the selective service prir
ciple might be applied to draftin
workers.
, The Chief Executives referent
(See ROOSEVELT Page A-14)