Evening star., 1943-01-10
kcNutt Drafts Plan
To Enable Students
10 Continue Studies
/. Seeks to Keep Up Flow
! Of Professional Men
To Fill War Needs
BY JESSIE O. IRWIN.

By JESSIE o. IRWIN.
Manpower Chairman Paul v. Nc
Mutt is drafting a plan under which
some youths may enter college and
be exempt from the draft, it was
learned yesterday.
The purpose is to assure an un-
interrupted flow of students for
medicine, dentistry, engineering and
kindred vocations, so the civilian
population will not suffer, no matter
how long the war lasts, informed
sources said.
They added that Mr.. McNutts S
plan would be entirely independent
Of the Army and Navy programs to
select inductees for special college
training in such courses to provide
doctors and technicians for the
armed services.
5000 Teachers Have Left.
| At the same time, the United
States Office of Education said
lengthening of the college in
structor's day and the discontinue
ance of certain established courses
"CIC bCiAlS Wy SOllCSCo W
leviate the teacher shortage.
The Office of Education said a
survey of approximately half of
l.717 schools revealed about 5000
teachers have left their classrooms
for the armed services or to take
higher-paying jobs in the Govern
ment or war industries.
Mr.. McNutt's plan is reported to
BE divided in two parts-youths who
are under the minimum draft age
,pf l8 when they enter college and
those who wish to enter after their
18th year.
II Subject to Draft at Is.
Currently there is nothing to pre-
vent any male under 18 from en-
rolling in college or university for
an engineering, physics, pre-medi-
cal. pre-dental or veterinary
course However. when the youth
passes his 18th birthday. he imme-
diately becomes subject to the draft,
Mr.. McNutt has called in group
OF the country's leading educators
and it is reported they are arranging
q program whereby outstanding stu
dents would continue in college.
Informed sources said the yard
stick to measure students for draft
deferment is now being worked out.
Under a recent seleCtive service Or
der, youths of l8 in their last term
complete their secondary schooling.
From this group, presumably. would
be drawn those more than l8 who
would 60 to college.
3 The educators are working on the
plan for the selection of those who
shall be deferred to study medicine,
dentistry and other specialized sub
jects. Scholarships undoubtedly. it
was said, would be the prime factor.
Opportunity Open to All.
Sources said the greatest Stumb-
ling block to Mr. McNutt's plan at
present is funds with which to oper-
ate the scholarship system. The
educators are reported as feeling
that only exceptional ability and
merit should keep man out of the
armed forces and permit him to
study. They are said to be anxious
to have the plan handled on a
strictly democratic basis.
This means the educators do not
wish the doors of draft deferment
to be open only to those youths
whose parents can afford to pay
tuition or, as one source described
it. They don't want to favor the
rich over the poor"
Therefore, it was said. it would be
necessary for the Government to
finance the higher education of out
standing youths who lack funds.
Education circles pointed out that
the best argument Mr. McNutt has
to offer is that the Army and Navy
will finance the continued studies
bf those inductees chosen from the
ranks to go to college.
Last month, the VINO announced
temporary deferments for college
and university students in certain
medical. engineering and technical
fields" Those deferments will con-
hnue until March l. At the end of
that time it is understood that some
students will be chosen to continue
college work, while others will be
drafted.