Evening star., 1948-05-14
Draft Action in House
Threatened by Dispute
+0f Two Committees
BY the Assoeioisd Press

A new tug-of-war between
the Rules and Armed Services
Committees threatened today to
stymie House action on draft
legislation.
As the clash developed the House
received President Truman's request
for $2.434,4 AL 900 more for the ex-
panding defense program. This
brings total defense estimates to
more than IA billions for the year
starting july /.
Although Congress generally has
been going along with Mr.. Truman's
requests for military funds, it has
not approved his plans for increas-
ing the manpower of the armed
forces by a temporary draft and
universal military training.
Both manpower plans are involved
in the House committees dispute.
The Armed Services Committee has
approved both UNIT and draft
bill, but both measures have been
blocked by the Rules Committee.
Allen Asks Hearings.
Chairman Allen of the Rules
group set off the new clash in
letter yesterday to Chairman
Andrews OF the Armed Services
Committee.
Mr.. Allen asked for hearings on
his draft substitute-a bill which
would offer bonuses to volunteers
instead of reviving selective service.
President Truman has said Mr..
Aliens plan is the most asinine
proposition he has yet seen.
Mr.. Andrews could not be reached
Immediately for comment on the
Allen letter.
The Rules chairman has set no
date for hearings on the draft
measure, although he said he would
not hold up action on 1t to get
consideration of his bill.
Before Mr.. Allen made his request
public, Mr.. Andrews told a reporter
he expected draft bill hearing be-
fore the Rules Committee next
week. Speaker Martin said the bill
probably will not reach the floor
until the week after that.
Senate May Delay Draft Debate.
Senate floor debate on a COM
bined draft-voluntary training bill
probably also will be delayed by a
program announced today by the
Senate Republican Policy Com
mittee.
1t calls for passage of flood con-
troll and harbor improvement ap-
preparations and the displaced per-
sons bill next week before tackling
military manpower needs.
Chairman Taft said the Senate
policy group discussed at length the
details Of the draft bill, including
the Southern move to preserve
segregation. The Ohio Senator said
no conclusions were reached and
further conferences will be held.
The extra funds asked by the
President bring to $3,199,4 900 the
total additional money requested for
defense since January. At that time
Mr.. Truman estimated the armed
forces budget needs at $11 ,000, ,00o,-
600. 9
How Money Would Be Spent.
This is how the new money would
be spent: 1921, ,794 900 for the Air
Force to increase the number of
planes in active use to 10,297 first
and second line planes; $669, ,354,-
600 for the Navy to increase per-
sonnel and bring the fleet to active
peacet1me strength: 81 $40, ,367, 900 to
boost the Army's year-end strength
from 100000 to 10000 officers and
enlisted men.
The additional request does not
include the 1922 900 900 which Con-
gress has approved to start building
70-group Air Force. That sum is
part of a $4,000, 900 900 bill dipping
into the original defense estimate
ahead of schedule.
Mr.. Truman did not mention The
7O-group measure In his message
to speaker Martin. He has not yet
acted on the bill, but is expected
to sign 1t shortly.
Academy to Heur Wilson