Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-18

military manpower. New Zealand
and Australia have made the same
decision. They are freedom loving
peoples, They are democratic peo-
pies. They no more felt that they
we're surrendering their freedom
and their democracy than when
they decided to select and direct
VINO should serve in the armed
forces"
Still Producing Gadgets.
Mr.. Patterson told the committee
that in the face of critical manpoW-
er needs we are still producing
such things as artificial flowers. lew
elry, toys, novelties and like items
which have nothing to do with VIM
ming the war"
Last November. he said. $1,000
workers were making toys. 1900
iewelry, $500 in curtains and
draperies and 10,500 manufacturing
perfumes and cosmetics. Frequently,
he added, such industries operate in
labor shortage areas.
In opposing the bill, Mr.. Green
yesterday cited a recent statement
by MI, Patterson, calling to new
high in airplane production. and
Senator Austin, Republican, of Ver-
mont asked the Undersecretary if
ne meant to imply that the desir-
able maximum has been reached.
L did not Mr.. Patterson replied.
Il think he referred to February
production. That production, good
as 1t was, did not come up to schod-
ule. We should have produced 500
more planes in February. And our
schedule calls for double that pro-
ductlon per month by the end of the
year.
Would Cut Down Turnover.
Il wouldn't look for many trans
ferS Of workers under this bill, but it |
would be very effective in freezing
people in essential jobs and cutting
down the turnover. That has been .
England'S experience with a similar
law"
Defending this country's ability to
raise and maintain the projected |
armed force of 10,9O0,0O0 Mr.. Pat
terSon said:
Even that would be smaller per-
centage of our total population than .
the armies raised by Great Britain. |
Germany and Russia. I wouldn't |
want to say they can do it, but we
can't. l would be ashamed to say it,"
Senator Quincy, Republican. of !
South Dakota asked if the United
States can supply its military goal .
without the Austin adSworth bill. |
The witness predicted it can be |
done either way, but with properly
controlled manpoWer at home, vic
tory would come sooner.
Meanwhile talk of limiting the ,
size of the armed forces was re- |
neWed by Senator Nye, Republican, /
OF North Dakota.
The War Department is attempt !
ing to raise an Army of more than |
100000 including the Army Air |
FORCES, but I personally believe a
figure 0f around 100000 men would |
be ample to do the job" Senator
Nye said, adding that no definite !
figure had yet been agreed on nor
the particular form the proposed
legislation would take.
100000 Men Overseas.
1T is a case of efficient use of
manpoWer, Senator Nye continued. |
My OWL thought is that, if we
have an eventual Army of 100000 |
men overseas, We should not need
more than 100000 additional in
training in this country for replace
ment purposes
Within "a hours after MI. Green
testified that the Austin Wadsworth
bill would impose involuntary SER
Vltude" on American workers. SEN
ator Austin, co-writer of the meas
ure, said the labor chieftain will be
asked to aid in rewriting some of
the draft provisions.
Senator Austin also disclosed that
at the request of women. them
selves the committee would study
advlsability of increasing the age
limit of those who would be affected
from 16 to SO years to Is to IS years
the same age group as suggested
for men. The Budget Bureau re-
ported yesterday that nearly 3,0OO.-
300 women have found employment
in the last year.