Evening star., 1946-06-02
Senate Passes
Bi||PuttingAton
Civilian Hands
Also Clears Way for
Action This Week on
Droft Extension
By J. A. o'Leory

In burst of speed, the Senate
yesterday passed comprehen-
sive bill for the domestic control
of atomic energy and cleared the
way for action early this week
on a one-year extension of the
draft law.
strengthen the hand of the United
States in international negotiations
for the settlement of postwar prob
lens
As the domestic atomic energy
bill went through without opposi-
ton. or record vote, Senators Nc
Mahon. Democrat, of Connecticut
and Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan Joined in the hope that
it will be followed by international
agreement for the control of this
new source of energy, so deadly in
war.
Earlier in the day, Senator Aus
tin, Republican, of Vermont called
for prompt extension of selective
service, which expires June 30, de-
claring that lack of a peace force"
has handicapped this country in
postwar negotiations with other
powers.
Faces Price Control Battle.
Once the draft extension is out
of the way the Senate faces one
of the toughest battles of the ses-
sion over the future of price con-
troll, which also expires June 30.
Before adjourning late yesterday
the Senate pushed through the
billion-dollar Agricultural appropri-
alton bill for the new fiscal year
of which nearly half is lending au-
thority and the rest cash appropri-
ations. There are still about 10 Of
these money bills, to be sandwiched
in between other measures by July
/.
The outlook last night was bright
for Senate passage by Tuesday of a
bill extending the draft law until
May Is, l947, without House provi-
sions exempting teen-agers or pro-
hibiting any more inductions until
after October Is.
The Senate Military Affairs COM
mittee has written into its draft
bill a 80 per cent pay increase for
enlisted personnel of the armed
forces. with smaller increases for
officers. The House passed a sepa-
rate pay bill, ranging from so per
cent for enlisted personnel to 10 per
cent in the higher ranks.
Compromise Likely.
II the Senate passes it's bill In
present form, conferees from the
two houses face a battle in confer
ence over House insistence on ex-
cluding the 18 and 10 year olds from
induction. The House bill limits the
draft to the 20 to 80 age groups.
Some compromise both on age limits
and pay is likely.
Majority Leader Barkley and Sen.
ator Gurney, Republican. of South
Dakota agreed to temporary side
tracking of the draft bill Yesterday
believing it can be disposed of more
promptly by starting the debate to-
morrow.
War Department officials reported
yesterday the first week after Con-
gress exempted teen-agers from the
draft produced the lowest number of
volunteers for any week since the
Army started it's recruiting cam
paign last fall.
A total of 10,398 signed up for the
seven days ended May 81, compared
with 1l,043 the previous week.
Selective Service advocates have
contended that existence of the
draft was a spur to recruiting.
Civilian Atomic Commission.
The main features of the Sem
ate's domestic atomic energy bill,
which now goes to the House, are:
Sets up five-member civilian
commission, chosen by the Presi-
dent and confirmed by the Senate.
Prohibits private ownership of the
explosive material in an atomic
bomb, by giving the Government a
monopoly on all fashionable mate
rial
Although civilians will control
this new form of energy, provision
is made for military liaison COM
mittee to consult with the commits
sion on all military phases Of the
problem. The Secretaries of War
and Navy may carry to the Presi-
dent a protest against any of the
commissions actions. The Presi-
(See SENATE, Page A-8.J