Evening star., 1946-05-27

stlgated the extensive inquiry, pc
culiar to World War II, alone. In
more Or less degrees. it was pointed
out, complaints of such nature
against the military system followed
been engaged.
On this score the board said: Be
cause of the distaste of citizens in
our democracy for a regimented life
in which an individual to some ex-
tent loses his identity, and because
the majority who served were con-
scrlpted or drafted-many against
their will, much of the general criti-
cism could be expected"
The War Department already has
taken steps to adjust, correct and
lessen many of the complaints COM
monty aired, it was pointed out, by
revision Of regulations and through
recommended legislation. The board
has been assured, it said, that fur
ther steps along these lines would
be taken.
In most instances, the board re-
ported, poor leadership" resulted
from the thruSting into positions
OF authority of men who were in
herently unqualified or were made
quatelv trained as leaders" This
was brought about by the rapid
expansion of prewar officer corps
of 14,916, number that reached
a peak of 897,777 commissioned
strength in July, 1945.
Board Denoted 327.
During the war period 6,700 off,
GERS appeared before reclassification
boards. OF this number, 327 were
denoted, 4,l23 were separated from
the service, and $3.50 were reas-
signed. In addition, 1887 officers
were reassigned without reference
to a board proceeding, the total
number being one per cent of the
peak commissioned strength.
Yet the board stressed among its
conclusions that lit is extremely
difficult under existing procedures
to get rid of incompetents and un-
deslrables among the officer group"
The Doolittle Board, in sitting CT
complaints, heard AZ representative
witnesses at sessions and received
over 1000 letters from interested
parties. Mr.. Patterson appointed
the board ON March 18.
The War Secretary, commencing
the board for the comprehensive
investigation and able study" an
nounced today that all staff sec
tlons have begun study of the re-
port and its recommendations
Some of the suggestions will re-
quire congressional approval and
appropriation if they are to be
adopted, the War Department said
The 52-page report, while re-
STRANGELY tempered in tone. ap-
peared to some surprisingly liberal
in its treatment of the problems
involved and the broad scope of
its recommendations.
Consulted Other Agencies.
The board consulted the FBI and
the Army's Military Intelligence
Division to determine if there is
evidence of concerted action on the
part of subversive elements to pre-
cipate mass criticism against the
Army" This material-undisclo
is in the hands Of the Intelligence
Division.
The board was helped in reach
ing conclusions by various surveys
of GI opinion. One was post
VI day survey on leadership, con-
Quoted by the Armys Information
and Education Division.
On the average, one out of four
men in the companies polled felt
their officers were of poor quality,
indicating, the board said, there
was no overall tendency to cri-
ticise all officers indiscriminately
Broken down more specifically
the Army survey indicated that Sc
per cent of the GIs stated few OF
none of their officers took a per-
sonal interest in their welfare; 50
per cent stated the officers did not
do what they could to help en-.
listed men. Another so per cent felt
a lack OF understanding of prob
lens or needs, and 70 per cent
stated their officers rarely ever OF
never gave recognition or praise tt
a particularly well-done job.
A separate tabulation was made
OF GIs who had received military
awards or decorations.
The agreement of this grour
with the general cross section" the
board commented, would indicate
that these attitudes of enlisted per-
sonnel towards rank and privilege
are not due simply to a Drowned
off attitude on the part of chronic
grlperS.
Opposed Privileges.
The sources of enlisted mems
gripes overseas were the privileges
real or otherwise. of officers in re.
gard to use of Army vehicles fol
social purposes, unfair advantage
in getting liquor, more opportunities
to have dates. good hotels, restau-
rants and recreation. and particu-
larly, signs off limits to enlisted
men,
Based on these and aforemen-
toned complaints. the Doolittle
Board made other corrective recon.
mendations dealing with such.
Decorations Establish more
equitable basis. Prohibit distribu-
ton to a degree that will tend to
"cheanen them Make II moro diff .