Evening star., 1942-04-20
McNutt FaVors
Group Deferring
OF War Labor
Also Seeks to Thwurt
Piracy of Workers
Among Companies
By MIRIAM GUTENBERG.

Chairman Paul V. McNutt OF
the newly created War Man
Power Commission said today he
favored a program of "occupa-
tional group" deferments from
Selective service induction to
provide necessary war labor, al
though acknowledging that such
program would conflict with
present selective service proce-
dure and would require legiSla-
ton to effect.
The chairman also declared that
system of labor priorities was "un-
avoidable" and might be enforced
through writing into war-produc-
ton contracts clause to forbid
labor piracy"
His broad program for allocating
manpower among factories, farms
and the armed forces was outlined
in a four-page statement released
at his first press conference on the
job to which President Roosevelt
appointed him Saturday.
Estimating that 100000 new re-
cruits would be needed in war plants
this year. Mr.. McNutt said the pro-
gram was on voluntary basis and
added, I hope 1t can be left that
way, but circumstances will have to
determine that"
Hopes Law Won't BE Needed.
He said he hoped legislation would
not be necessary, but II don't think
anyone can predict about that" AS
yet ne has no legislation in mind.
The vagueness with which he
answered most of the questions put
to him by reporters-except in the
case of selective service-was ex-
planned, he said, by the fact that he
had just taken over the job and had
not yet met with his commission
members-scheduled to be appointed
by the President early this week.
He made 1t clear that he would
tell selective service whom to defer
by groups and in definite regions
where labor was needed.
When reporter pointed out that
Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey was
opposed to group deferments, he
replied with a smile, After all, it's
question of where the determine
ton of policy will be made"
Local Draft Boards. he said, will
still be autonomous, "but If changes
are necessary they will be asked"
Law Bans Group Deferments.
Legislation would be required TO
permit deferment of men by occupa-
| tional groups because the present
| Selective Service Act states
mo deferment from such training
and service shall be made in the
case of any individual except upon
the basis of the status of such in
dividual and no such deferment
shall be made of individuals by
occupational groups or of groups of
individuals in any plant or institu-
ton"
Evading the question on job freez-
ing, he responded that an effort will
be made to use skills where they will
be most productive.
He said he had some definite
thoughts but no plans" on Navy's
using selective service for recruiting
purposes. The Navy has been
charged on various occasions with
dipping into the ranks of selectees
before their induction.
Non-War Industries Tapped.
In his formal statement he said
that most of the 100000 war
production workers who will be
placed in jobs during the next year
will come from those now employed
in non-war industries.
At another point he said the
Nation will need 10, 800, 900 additional
skilled and lesser skilled workers
in war production. At the same
time, he said, at least 100000
additional young men will be drawn
(See MAN POWER, Page A-120