Evening star., 1946-06-26
19-45 Draft Approved
By Congress, Awaits
Truman Signature
BY the Associo.ed Press

Inc NatlOnS men IN uniform
riveted their attention on the
White House today to learn when
the draft extension compromise
and it's companion pay increase
measure become law.
The twin bills cleared final con-
gressional hurdles yesterday after
months of argument.
Public interest centered on the
nine-month extension of the war
time draft beyond June 80 with
nonfathers between 10 and As
probably most concerned as possible
draftees. Neither service, however,
has indicated any desire for men
over rs. Other prime provisions of
the measure include:
l. An 18-month limit on COM
pulsory service.
2. No further induction of fathers.
3. A clause that fathers now in
service may apply for release after
August l.
But the men of the Army. Navy,
Marines and other armed services
from officers to privates and ap-
prentice seamen-were more inter-
ested in the time of the pay boost
signing.
The lncreaSes-ranging from S25
month for privates up to S166.67
for the upper bracket generals and
admirals-will become effective on
the first day of the month follow
ing the presidential signature.
Because the present stopgap
draft act dies at the end of this
month, Mr. Truman was expected
to sign the compromise extension
before July /.
But he was not under the same
pressure to sign the broad pay in
crease plan. Hence if he delays this
until after July l, all men on duty
with the armed service would have
to wait until August l before COL
lecting the extra money.
Will Cost 632 Million a Year.
In all, congressional committees
estimated the pay increases will to-
tai something over S632 ,000, 900 for
the next year. One month would
amount to more than $4,000, 900 on
an average, so whether the men in
uniform collect it in July depends
on Mr.. Truman
Although the House required sew
eral hours and some argument be-
fore it approved the two compro-
misses, the Senate agreed to both in
less than 10 minutes without record
votes.
The House accepted the draft ex-
tenslon-Whlch reversed in part its
previous position against inducing
either l3 or l9 r-olds-by a 259
to ITO vote.
Army POstpones Inductions.
before the vote, it learned the
War Department plans no induc-
tlons during July and August so that
pool OF some $4,000 men between
10 and 80 will be available for the
draft at the end of that period.
About $4,000 are expected to be
called in September, and an aver
age of 1000 each month there
after unless voluntary enlistments
fill all needs.
While the compromise legislation
bans Induction of any one under
10, youths still will have to register
for the draft when they become l8.
This registration clause in the pres
ent selective service law was not
altered. E4
Service Limited to Is Months.
Service of any men indicted un-
der the extender will be limited to
lS months, excluding time spent in
schools while in uniform, and all
fathers now inducted may be re-
leased on request, starting August /.
All men who have served 18 con-
secutive months or longer, with
school time not counted, also may
apply for release starting Octo-
ber /.
The only voice raised against the
draft compromise in the Senate was
that of Senator Revercomb, Repub-
lican, Ct West Virginia. He said he
still is certain that volunteers could
supply all vacancies. and he added
that older men from 80 to IS do not
make the best soldiers"