Evening star., 1946-07-17
Draft Rules frightened
But 19-Year-0Ids Will
Fill Bulk Of Next Call

Sharply tightened selective
service deferment rules were in
effect today to aid the Army in
obtaining $4,000 men in Septem-
Der, but 1t was apparent that
the greater part of that number
would come from the group at
tanning the age of 10 who had
been deferred in their 18th year
The new rules apply only to men
10 through % years old, the bracket
fixed by President Truman as the
age of acceptability for induction. "
Local draft boards were instruct
ed to consider calling again dis
charged men in that bracket who
were not on active duty overseas
and who had less than six months
service at home. This group. how
ever, is small 1t is estimated there
are not more than 20 such men in
the District.
REORGANIZATION of those deferred
for physical reasons-the 4Fs-also
is unlikely to yield any great num-
Der for service since this group
has been continually combed over
for men who have recovered for
disabilities.
Physical Standards Lower.
Selective service officials say that
the number to be obtained by a re-
examination of those disqualified
physically depends on how strictly
the Army applies its physical stand
ards. 1t was pointed out that those
standards were lowered in April
However, most of those who would
be re-examined are fathers and
therefore ineligible
The largest source Of manpower,
1t was said, is the group which was
deferred as 18-year-olds to COM
plete high school or semester in
college. A large number have now
turned l9 and have completed the
work for which the deferment was
given.
1t is expected that if the quotas
are not filled under the regulations
announced yesterday the Army will
have to call on men in the age
bracket of 80 through "a.
Under the new rules. except for
farmers and farm workers. occupa- =
tional deferments generally will be
limited to the few men found to be
indispensable and irreplaceable to
the national existence"
No Inductions Now Being Made.
This is drastic Tightening of the
present rules permitting occupa-
tional deferment of men deemed
necessary and regularly engaged in
an activity in support of the ma
tional health, safety and interest. "
The group previously deferred be-
cause of necessary war work. of
course. is now available and is ex-
pected to contribute an appreciable
force.
The new rules We're announced by
Selective Service Director Hershey
IN preparation for the Armys call
Tor 25,000 men in September, The
last call. in June, was for $4,000. A
holiday on all inductions is in force
tuiy anu AUX uSI.
Fathers continue TO be exempt
and under the law farmers getsmore
liberal consideration for occupa- =
tional deferment than other workers,
Postponement of induction for
men drafted under the new rules
is provided only for registrants still
in high school. Undergraduate COL
lege students no longer will be per-
nlitted to finish out a quarter ser a
semester when they are callede
Makes l55, ZOO Available
A Selective Service OFFICIAL esti-
mated tentatively that the new de-
ferment standards would lift the
number Of men available to 155 900
by next March 31-about 10000
more than under previous rules.
Meanwhile, the War Department
suspended enlistment of colored
men in the Regular Army excep,
as specialists. 1t explained that they
had made an overwhelming re-
sponse' to the current intensive
recruiting campaign.
Some 100000 of them have en-.
listed since last fall at the rate OF
approximately one to each five re.
cruits, The Army's announced pol
icy is to limit colored people to the
to 10 ratio of the civilian popu.
lation.
A War Department statement sale
that the quota for colored had beer
greatly oversubscribed and the
Army found itself unable to con-
tinue uncontrolled enlistment"
Famine Film at Auditorium
The Army Aim on famine, Seeds