Evening star., 1943-10-03
New Plan Ndrrows
Job Deferments 10
Help Save Fathers
BY J. A. OLEARY,

BY }. A. OLEARY.
A new proposal that would
tighten the requirements for
occupational deferment without
forbidding or delaying induction
OF prewar fathers may be pre-
sented to the Senate early this
week by opponents of the
Wheeler bill. which seeks to put
of the father-draft until Janu-
ary.
The plan reported to be receiving
serious consideration last night
would take one section of the Bailey
Clark substitute, establishing a new
rule for deferments in Government
agencies, and combine it with one
section of the Taft substitute, re-
lating to deferments in private in
dustries on occupational grounds.
The theory behind this compro-
mise is that it might reduce the
number of fathers who would have
to be called by providing a closer
check on occupational deferment of
nonfathers, but would not tie the
hands of draft boards. in calling
fathers where necessary.
Bailey Clark Formula.
The formula for Government de-
ferments put forward by Senator
Bailey of North Carolina and Clark
Of Missouri, both Democrats, pro-
vides that no man between l8 and
80 could occupy Government job
unless: (A) such registrant is a
father who married before Pearl
Harbor or (B) is physically dis
qualified for military service. or
Co his department head certifies
he is indispensable.
In some quarters it is contended
this is not materially different from
the procedure established this year
under which occupational defer
ments in the Government must pass
through reviewing committees set
up for that purpose in the eXecu-
tive. legislative and judicial branches
The section of the Taft substitute
relating to industrial deferments
would require three separate checks
on each such application involving
a man under 30 years of age II
would have to be approved by the
registrant's home draft board, by the
draft board in the area of his place
of employment. and by the director
of selective service.
Would Ban Age Categories.
! If this new alternative. limited to
the question of defermentS, is agreed
to it would eliminate that part of the
Taft amendment which did not pre-
vent the drafting of prewar fathers
| but required they be called in three
! age groups: First, those under IS;
second, those between 25 and 80
and third, those between 30 and 38
Senate Majority Leader Barkley
said yesterday to require fathers to
be divided into age categories would
undoubtedly upset the system" He
/ said it would create a new equation
/ that would result in administrative
! burdens
/ Senator Barkley made the state
ment after a group of Senators had
( conferred informally with Selec-
| tive Service officials. The Ma aiority
! Leader said the conference was held
merely to analyze the pending
amendments. 1t was not called for
to agree on any plan of procedure,
he emphasized
Administration leaders are still
! confident the Wheeler bill as it
stands cannot pass, but Senator
Barkley made no predictions as to
what changes might be made in it
/ after the debate ends this week, nor
whether any move 10 send the whole
issue back to committee would be
made.
Favor Compromise.
There were others who thought
a compromise, limited entirely to
/ the problem Of handling occupa-
tional deferments, would stand a
good chance of adoption.
| Senator Wheeler, Democrat, OF
Montana has argued throughout the
! discussion that non-fathers are
available to meet current draft calls
in industry and Government. and
reiterated yesterday his willingness
/ to vote for any other bill that would
accomplish that purpose. He added
1 however. that he is opposed to just
passing some face-saving legisla :
/ ton
/ Senator Wheeler asserted yester-
day that regardless of any state
ments by generals or admirals. the
country knows there is vast hoard
ing of single men in industry
throughout the country, and hoard
ing of manpower in various Govern
ment establishments.
Unless the administration stops
/ the waste of manpoWer, of materials
and of taxpayers money, it will &C
down in history as the most profit
gate waster of tax money the Mon
tana Senator continued.
Senator Wheeler added that, while
he is Democrat and hates to criti-
size a Democratic administration
before I am a Democrat I am ar
American, interested in preserving
American institutions.
Senator Georges View.
Senator George, Democrat 0.
Georgia, said yesterday he coulc
not support the Taft amendmen,
to call fathers according to age
groups. although there might bt
scme merit in other features of the
Taft substitute. He said he woulc
support the Bailey-Clark propose
on Government deferments.
In discussing the division of faith
ers into age groups, Senator Barkley
made the point that if all the young
fathers are taken now. only the
older ones would be left next year
! when hattie renlocopo oro 1;lyol,