Evening star., 1942-12-15
Joint Statement Seen
Banning MiIitarization
Of U. 5. Colleges
Army, Navy Expected
To Unite With VINO in
Exploiting Program,

A joint Army. Navy and War
Manpower Commission statement to-
morrow is expected to confirm what
VINO Chief Paul v. McNutt indi-
Gated yesterday-that the armed
forces would not Ii1ilitarize American
colleges and universities.
Mr.. McNutt, it, was learned, has
approved program to send approxi-
mately 25O000 youthful selectees to
higher educational institutions for
training In technical subjects. :
The main point at issue has been
who would supervise the training
the armed services or the institu-
tions' staffs. The approved program,
it was understood, specifies that all
training work must be under the
supervision Of the regular STATS of
the institutions, with the college
professors thmselves instructing in
all except extra-curricular drill work.
Subjects to Be Picked.
Although the services will be al
lowed to choose the curriculum, ac-
cording to. present plans. they will
not be allowed to rule how the sub
jects they choose shall be taught.
Institutions Of higher learning
have been uncertain of their fate for
some time despite assurances two
weeks ago from Undersecretary Of
War Patterson that the Army did
not have any plans to take over
colleges, but only to send a certain
number of men into the schools for
special training.
Mr.. .McNutt proposes to salvage
the industrial training functions
OF the National Youth Admin
istration by transferring that de-
preston n-born agency from his Fed
eral Security Administration to his
War Manpower Commission.
Considerable sentiment for the
liquidation Of the NYA, on the
ground that 1t Is no longer necessary.
has arisen in Congress with many
Senators and Representatives ex-
pressing determination not to vote
1t any funds next session.
Mr.. McNutt's plan, outlined to a
press conference yesterday, would
absorb the NYA's training program
In the Manpower Commissions gen.
eral training program. 1t would
eliminate restrictions which now
limit NYA teaching to persons II
to "a, inclusive, and make the NYA
facilities available to prospective
war workers of all ages.
Established IN 1885.
The NYA's other major activity.
a student work program to enable
needy persons 16 10 "a, inclusive, to
stay in school, presumably would be
allowed to lapse.
The NYA, in which Mrs. Roosevelt
has been greatly interested, was
established in 1885 within the WPA,
which is now being hquidated, and
IN 1889 was placed under the Sc
curity agency of which Mr.. McNutt
is administrator The NYA admin
istrator under Mr.. McNutt is Aubrey
Williams.
Mr.. McNutt said he would ask
the new Congress to permit the
transfer and make the NYA train
ing funds available to the Manpow-
er Commission. The NYA appro-
priation for the current fiscal year
ending June 80 is 100000, 900, OF
which $51 100000 is earmarked for
vocational training. ,. d.
The armed services were urged
by Mr.. McNutt to do a better Job
of placing skilled men in the ranks
so their talents can be used more
effectively.
Suggests Transfers.
Disclosing that the Army, Navy.
Marines and Coast Guard could
make special calls under the re-
vamped draft program to meet their
requirements for men with special
skills, Mr.. McNutt suggested:
That the various branches of the
armed forces arrange for transfer
of skilled men among themselves to
help one another in meeting needs
for special services.
That greater care be shown at
induction centers in assigning new
inductees so their special talents
would get full use, and that records
OF old inductees be combed to see
If they can be better placed.
The manpower chief said that the
special-skill draft calls would not
mean induction Of men deferred on
occupational grounds before their
deferment period Is over.
The number Of men In this class