Evening star., 1946-05-16
Patterson Reported
Studying Increase
In Draft Age 10 29
By Miriom Ottenbera

Secretary OF War Patterson to-
day was reported investigating
the possibility of raising the
draft age limit from 26 to 20 to
compensate in part for the loss
Of teen-agers.
The War Department, it was
learned, already has asked selective
service how many men might be
available in the 26-29 age group
1t has been estimated that $4,000
nonfathers might be eligible in the
group deferred since VI day.
1t will be up to President Truman
however, to decide whether he
wants to revoke the executive order
which limited the draft to men un-
der 26. The President plans to dis
cuSs the draft at a news conference
at 4 pm. today.
In some quarters, 1t was conSid-
cred that Congress had virtually
ordered an increase in the present
draft age limits by stating in its
amendment-riddled draft extension
measure that men from 20 to 80
were eligible for the draft.
Speed on New Bill Sought.
The War Department estimated
today that without the older men
only 5000 men a month could be
called. The $1,000 men in the 1928
age group would be drawn from linn
ited-service men, former members
of the merchant marine deferred
during the war, farmers who have
left their farms and a scattering of
other nonfathers.
While the War Department and
selective service debated how to
get men from the sharply reduced
supply. administration leaders on
Capitol Hill started talking about
action on new draft measure to
replace the 45-day draft eXtender
Majority Leader Barkley called
for speedy action on labor legisla-
ton with view to getting one
year draft extension measure to the
Senate floor next week. Senator
Barkley said he wanted to put the
draft measure ahead of OPA extern
sion. He had warned earlier that
ne didn't want to see foot race"
between the draft and OPA-both
OF which must be extended or die
June 30.
Bill Drops Teen-age Ban.
The Senate draft bill which Sena.
tor Barkley wants to bring to the
floor carries no ban against DRAFTING
teen-agers. The War Department
said an extension of the draft in thai
form would make possible the re.
lease of men with less than two
years service.
After June 80, when the last of the
tWo-year men will be released. the
War Department estimated thai
22o, 1000 men would have between Il
and "a months service. Thereafter
$4,000 men a month would reach Ii
months service and would be elig.
ible for release If there were replace.
ments for them, the War Depart.
ment said.
A War Department spokesman ex.
planned that the Army wants to re.
lease men with 18 months service
beginning October !, but will not be
able to do so unless enough men car
be provided through the draft to in.
sure replacements.
Kilmer Situation Explained.
The Wars Department also ex.
Fplained today why a backlog OF
troops destined for overseas ship.
ment had so jammed the facilities
at. Camp Kilmer, IN. j., that the
overflow had To be sent to Fort Dix
Denying that the camp was over.
crowded because overseas com.
manders had not requisitioneo
enough men, a War Department,
spokesman said the overflow was
caused by the closing of all other
overseas replacement depots on the
East Coast, creating a concentration
at Camp Kilmer.
Men who were given 90-day re-
enlistment furloughs are all report.
ing back at once, the War Depart.
Iment ofncial said, and demobiliza
ton has cut personnel to such ar
extent that there haven't beer
enough men at Camp Kilmer t.
process the soldiers for oversea.
shipment.
The War Department said ther,
would be no appreciable delay il
getting the men overseas.