The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-05-20
Observations
Congress Slow TO
Require Post War
Military Service
BY Helen Essary

National Selectiye Service III.
rector Lewis B. Hershey has been
urging continuation of universal
military training after the war, but
Congress appears slow IN taking
action.
Representative Andrew May Cd
of Kentucky, chairman OF the
House Military Affairs Committee,
introduced a bill last January cali
ing for a years compulsory mill
tary or naval training at the age
Of Il or Immediately following
graduation from high school but
no action has been taken.
over the protests OF May tho
new House committee on postwar
military policy has given priority
10 the Army endorsed proposal for
single department Of the armed
forces. Postwar selective service
las been given second conslderl'
ton
Alert lar.sightcd military and
civilian leaders fear that unless
some draft legislation is passed
before the war ends, the nation
will fan into the same state of lotN-
argy that prevailed after World
War /.
The handwriting is on the wall
for the AIS who think that mill
tary deferments entitled them to
evade service in essential indus
tries.
The Army. Navy and selectiye
service have lined up in support OF
the so.called draft bill sponsored
by Senators Josiah Bailey 90 OF
South Carolina and Ralph Brews-
ter (R) of Maine. The measure.
in effect. tells 4-F's-to get into vital
industries Voluntarily or do il IN
der military sponsorship
The Office OF War Information
has cleared millions OF words on
the war and on other government
agency activities 10 the press and
radio. but remains It's own worst
press agent.
Washington newsmen believe
that what the agency needs is
someone to tell the stories OF the
notable and worthwhile activities
OF the OWL For instance, the
agency did much 10 get extra facll-
tiles for news coyerage overseas,
particularly in connection with the
operations in Sicily. Italy and the
forthcoming invasion
In addition. the agency has done
much 10 open or reopen news chan
nels in Washington; has hattled
constantly with the war and Navy
department officials 10 get more
news. il has done a good job OF
exposing Nszi and Japanese prop
uganda in neutral countries and
occupied areas by dropping leaflets.
delivering radio broadcasts. etc.
Most OF the publicity Owl has
received has been definitely OF the
unfavorable type. Some of it may
have been deserved. but much Of
il has appeared unfounded 10 insid-
ers who have been urging Owl to
do a little drum;beating on its own
behalf
President Roosevelts prolonged
and health-restoring vacation or
the sprawling, sun.swept acres OF
Bernard Baruch's vast South Car.
olina plantation has dispelled all
doubt in the minds of political oD-
servers that he will seek fourth
term.
. uouaver I, rro,,r5 - v,ora cor-
rect to say that the President pre-
fers to have the fourth term seek
him, for informed sources are pos
sitive he will remain mum on the
subject until the Democratic con-
vention at Chicago drafts him by
acclaim.
Then. as in 1910. he will address
the convention by radio from the
White House
By the time the Democrats act
the European invasion probably
will be under way at several points.
and American naval forces may be
pounding the Japs in new engage
ments in the far Pacific
Thus the President will have
considerably more reason than in
1910 for staying away from the
convention.
One Of the purposes Of the va.
cation was TO get the President
in shape for the political wars
which the administration knows
will be tougher than at any time
since 1882.
So Washington is saying the
President chooses 10 run again
and the Democrats are certain they
can beat New York's Governor Tom
Dewey WHEN the chips are-dovr
in November.