Evening star., 1948-04-29
Truman Accepts
.Draft-UMTB|end
AS Best Possible
Calls Compromise
Proposal q Step in
Right Direction

President Truman said today
he accepted proposals to COM
bine a temporary draft and a
universal training program be-
cause it was all he could get out
of Congress.
The President told a news con-
ference the idea of blending the
draft and universal training was an
acceptable compromise.
Then he added that it was because
it was all he could get. 1t was, he
said, step in the right direction.
Mr.. Truman asked Congress for a
temporary revival of the draft to
expand the armed forces now. He
also asked universal training pro-
gram under which all physically-fit
18-year- -olds would be trained as a
reserve.
Substitute Found Necessary,
But when Congress was cool to
that. military men came up last
Tuesday with substitute plan
which virtually junked the universal
training idea.
The substitute, outlined to the
Senate Armed Services Committee,
proposed.
A draft of ISL 900 youths in the
l8-l9'e age bracket for a wear of
training with the regular services,
These boys could not be sent over
seas.
A draft Of 10000 men in the
1925 age bracket for two years
service in the armed forces.
The House Armed Services Com
mlttee has indicated opposition to
this proposal. Chairman Andrews
predicted any effort to combine the
draft and UNIT would wind lid in
defeat of both.
Secretary Of Defense Forrestal
talked over the situation with Mr.
Truman yesterday. The Presidents
news conference remarks presum-
ably indicate decision TO stick
with the idea of combined draft
tralnee program for the time being
at least.
Funds Committee Meeting.
Meanwhile, the Senate Appropria-
tons Committee was meeting in ex-
session amid indications that
The House-approved supplementary
procurement bill would be
reported out today. The bill provides
for s3,l98, 100000 in cash and con-
tract authorizations for the Air
Force and Navy and would enable
the Air Force to start building to-
ward a 70-group strength.
The Senate compromise defense
bill would provide for expansion to
66-group strength.
Secretary Of Air Symington, Sec
retary of the Navy Sullivan, Gen.
Spaatz, retiring Air Force Chief of
Staff, and Admiral Denfeld, Chief
of Naval Operations: Secretary of
the Army Royal and Gen. Bradley,
Army Chief of Staff. were called to
the closed session.
Secretary Royal and Gen. Brad
ley told a Senate appropriations
subcommittee earlier that they be-
ieved B-29 bombers should be taken
out of storage and used to the best
advantage at least until new type
planes could be produced. Gen.
Bradley estimated that two or three
years would be required for such
new type production.
Called Best BoVber Today.
Their testimony indicated that
hey indorsed the 66-group Air Force
but both declared that
the most modern air force and the
one superior in numbers would be
The best"
The B-29 is the best strategic
plane in the world today"
Secretary Royal said. Il don't see
any reason why we should not utilize
them today. 1t would be the part of
wisdom to use and improve them
until We get others"
Gen. Bradley commented:
IF you don't arm the 10 groups
Of B-29s now you won't have any
new planes for two or three years.
While We are waiting for something
new, why not increase our striking
force until new planes come in. We
should use them until something
better can be produced
The 10 groups to which Gen.
referred would constitute
approximately 300 B-29s that would
be taken out of storage and mod
to build up the Air Force to
S6 groups, as recommended by Sec
retary' Forrestal.