Evening star., 1942-09-07

tention to the chaos, confusion and
uncertainty" confronting the family
men Of the country. He writes:
Inquiries from an increasing
number of my constituents regard
ing the announced possibility of an
early call under the selective serv-
ice law of married men with depend
ents prompts me to ask you to give
consideration to an immediate clari-
ficstion of the question. I hope you
will understand that my requests
are subject to the paramount con-
siderations of the Army. On the
other hand, so much has recently
been said and published by repre-
sentatives of the selective service,
not little of which has tended to
create confusion, that it appears to
me that the formulation of definite
authoritative policy to be carried
out by the local boards, for the sake
of the morale of the affected citi-
zens, is highly desirable.
Sense of Responsibility.
"Let me assure you that the in
euiries have received from the
State of Connecticut reflect graft
flying sense Of responsibility and q
widespread desire to serve in the
best possible manner to bring about
a complete and prompt victory. The
difficulty, however, which many
seem to have is to know when and
how their services might best be
offered.
THE difficulty Is intensified in the
case OF married men with depend
ents. BY and large these men have
heavy conflicting responsibilities.
They are confronted with unavoid-
able family problems. They have
positions in civilian life which
cannot be readily readjusted. For
the most part they represent the
higher age brackets within the draft
limits, and the financial worries
necessarily encountered in leaving
families and established positions
are besetting them to the extent, In
MANY cases, OF threatening complete
generalization.
"Yet. despite these conflicting
worries and responsibilities, there
remains among practically all these
citizens a deep-seated sense OF
patriotism and a genuine desire to
serve the Nation, if necessary, in the
military forces of the country where
and when properly required.
Problem Complicated.
1.-THE problem of these men is
further complicated by such an
nouncements as that made this week
by the acting director OF selective
service In Connecticut, to the ef1ec'
that as of August 40, 1912, no defer
ments will be granted. while the ap-
plications for commissions may be
pending. Under such a regulation
a married man who may consider
himself qualified for a commission
but who nevertheless may be operat-
ing under the primary responsibility
to his family must take the risk OF
induction into the armed forces
without a commission or immedi-
ately make application for such a
commission, with consequent dis
ruption Of his family and civilian
status"
Mr.. Maloney went on to suggest
that married men be called to serv-
ice under the draft according to age
and the number of family depend
ents so that married man 25 years
old would be called before married
man 40 years old. He urged that an
nouncement be made by local boards
of anticipated calls of married mer
well in advance to permit necessary
readjustment of family and bushes.
affairs.
"You will recognize, am sure, HI
continues, that these suggestion
are based upon the obvious fact
that a man Is years old is bette
adapted to military service than
man 40 years old; that man with
one child is normally beset will
fewer worries than man with three
and so on the average, will max
better soldier.
ut is my firm conviction that tn
chaos, confusion and uncertaint
confronting the family men Of tn
country who are no less patriotic an
no less ready to serve than thei
unmarried fellow citizens, may S
demoralize our civilian population
as to constitute great threat t
efficient war effort. For this reason
and for the additional abiding belle
that the preservation of the famil
life as far as possible is essential t
the future strength Of the Nation,
earnestly beseech your careful at
tention to these questions"
Other Senators are receiving
food of letters on the operation c
the selective service system. Lac
of a uniform quota system is prob
ably the main cause of complaint.
Reproduction Rights Reserved
G-I.