Evening star., 1943-09-11
Army's Size 10 Hold
Center Of Stage Next
Week in Congress
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

The size of the Army and its rela-
ton to home front labor shortages,
particularly in West Coast war
plants, promises to hold the center
of the stage in both the House and
Senate when Congress reconvenes
next week.
Senator Downey, Democrat, of
California, promised today to have
definite recommendations ready
next week for easing the manpower
problem in California, Oregon and
Washington, after two days of testi-
mony on the difficulty being ex-
perienced in stabilizing and increas-
ing the number of workers in ship
yards, aircraft factories, foundries
and other plants in that area.
A high light of yesterdays hearing
was the suggestion of Chairman
May of the House Military Affairs
Committee that further inductions
into the military service be held up
for a while until the manpower
problem on the home front is worked
out.
Asks for Suggestions.
Senator Downey earlier had said
beyond their present strength with
try to increase its armed forces
man said his committee held it in
out breakdown in production of
supplies. Noting the presence of the
House military chairman, the Sena-
tor asked If he had any suggestions
to offer.
Il think if there was a let up
IN the induction of men, fathers
and nonfathers, until we get the
home front adjusted to the fighting
front, that would open up one gate
to the situation Mr.. May replied,
referring to the general manpower
problem.
Mr.. May also revived discussion
Tor the first time of the Austin
Wadsworth national service bill, on
which both House and Senate COM
mlttees held lengthy hearings be-
tore the recess. The House chair
ma nsaid his committee held 1t in
aoeyance because one Government
agency was against it, while other
public officials were for it.
The House chairman said he
thought the time has come for Con-
gress to decide whether I'VE are 90
ing far enough to let any agency of
the Government til man where he
must go to work" He indicated that
at present he is in doubt about it..
but proposed that the whole man
power problem be reviewed with the
Army, Navy and Manpower Com
mission.
Debate Due Tuesday.
When the House and Senate meet
Tuesday, the manpower debate is
Que to start over the question of
whether the drafting of pre-Pearl
Harbor fathers should be halted
Senator Wheeler, Democrat of Mon
tana, is on his way to Washington,
prepared to call up his bill on that
subject in the Senate. Mr.. MAY re-
peated yesterday his intention of
Offering similar bill in the House
Tuesday.
The Senate Military Subcommit-
Tee was told yesterday the West
Coast needs 100000 more workers.
and that manpower officials do not
forsee recruitment of more than
250,O00.
Lawrence A. Appley, executive di-
rector of the War Manpower Com
mission, said the difficulty in get
ting the required number to 90 to
the West Coast is not due entirely to
shortage of housing facilities
there, but also reflects a shortage in
available workers.
He gave New York City as an IL
lustration of how areas of surplus
labor are being depleted. A year ago,
he said, New York City was a fertile
neld for recruiting workers for other
areas, but such recruiting has re-
duced greatly New York's unem-
Oloyed