Evening star., 1946-01-21

Nation Sill Must Have
7 Million in Service
By Al, Truman Says
BY the Associated Press.
Two million men still must be
under arms when 1947 rolls around.
President Truman told Congress
today of this estimate by the Army
and Navy, and added that if re-
cruiting can't produce that number
Congress should act, not later than
March, to extend the Draft Act.
The Chief Executives message
dispelled any idea that the 1000, ,000-
man figure is a mere milepost in
demobiliza ton, to be reached next
July /, with continued steady reduc-
tion of Army and Navy total
strength. But he did report that
the figure was above the ultimate
peacetime level" goal not yet
announced
THE War and Navy Departments
now estimate that by a year from
now we will still need strength of
about 100000, including officers,
for the armed forces-Army, Navy
and air" Mr.. Truman said Il have
reviewed their estimates and believe
that the safety of the Nation will
require maintenance of an armed
strength of this size for the calen-
dar year before us.
Must Extend Draft.
I'm case the campaign for volun-
teers does not produce that num-
ber, it will be necessary by addi-
tional legislation to extend the Sc
lective Service Act beyond May 16,
the date of expiration under exist
ing law. That is the only way we
can get the men and bring back our
veterans. There is no other way
Action along this line should not be
postponed beyond March"
WAR Department planning
calls for about 100000 men by
next July l, the Navy 500,000)
The President said the Army OBJ
tanned nearly 100000 volunteers in
the past four months and the Navy
10000 CT'he Navy recently an
nounced that up to January l it had
received about 372 900 enlistees, new
recruits and transfers from the Ma
val Reserve. 1t is assumed the
Presidents figure referred to first
enlistments)
Full-Speed DemobiIization.
The Army and Navy demobiliza
ton systems are working at full
speed" the President reported, but
observed: of course there are cases
of individual hardship in retention
of personnel in the service There
will be in the future. No system oi
such size can operate to perfection.
The Army and Navy are expected
TO spend $4,000, 900, 900 in the fiscal
year beginning next July /, the
President said-and he took this
occasion to renew his recommenda-
ton for unification of the services
OF the total, the Army estimate
is $4,000, 100000 and the Navy S.
900, 600 900. This compares with an
estimate for the current fiscal year
of S28 1000, 100000 for the Army and
Sl4, ,700,000,000 for the Navy. The
peak occurred in the last full fiscal
war year of l945 when the Army
paid out s50,339, 1872 500 and the
Navy s30.047 .152,l35. The President
explained that detailed estimates
for the services would be submitted
this spring.
10 Per Cent of Income.
The $4,000, 900 900 for the armed
forces is out Of an estimated total
of SIS 900 100000 for war liquidation
for occupation and for national de-
Tense
Terming this "a large sum for a
year which begins 10 months after
fighting has ended" the President
added that 1T is 10 times our ex-
penditure for defense before the
cent of our expected national in
come"
The large expenditures needed
for our national defense emphasize
the great scope for effective organ
ization in furthering economy and
efficiency To this end 1 have re-
Gently recommended to the Con-
gress adoption of legislation COM
bining the War and Navy depart
ments into single Department of
National Defense"
AS an example of the cost of liqui-
dation, there was the President S
estimate of the bill for mastering
out pay-s2, 500 ,O0O, 900 for the pres
ent fiscal year 1916 and about $780,
100000 in the coming year.
Policy of UNO Support.
1t will be the policy of the United
States. he added, to foster, support
and develop the United Nations
Organization in its purpose of pre-
venting international war"
In connection with his discussion
OF UNO ne referred TO the proposal
for an international commission to
explore effective control of the
atom bomb and atomic energy and
said:
Il have great hope for the de-
velopment of mutually effective
safeguards whcih will permit the
fullest international control of this
new atomic force.
Il believe it is possible that ef-
fective means can be developed
through the United Nations Organi-
zation to prohibit, outlaw and pre-
vent the use of atomic energy for
destructive purposes"
Patterson in Frankfurt