Evening star., 1948-06-23

Standby Board
Virginia Begins Work
On New Organization;
Enlistments Heavy
Maryland has a reserve draft
board set-up ready to function as
soon as President Truman signs the
new Selective Service Act while vir-
ginia will have to put a new plan
into effect, officials Of the two States
said today.
National Guard units of both
States, however, report a strong
surge Of enlistments by 19-to-25-
year-old men who are volunteering
for reserve duty before the President
signs the new law. Such men thus
will escape the 81 months Army
service required under the act.
Local draft boards and personnel
for other units of the Maryland Sc
lective System have been organized
on a reserve basis for several
months, Col. Henry C. Stanwood,
wartime head of the States draft
system, said.
Virginia Silent on Plan.
Col. Asher w. Harman, Virginia
State director of the Once Of Sc
lective Service Records, said a plan
to effect the induction of men i'm
mediately has been worked out, but
he would not say what this plan is.
Asked If former board members
would be recalled to service, Col.
Harman said they had been fully
discharged and were not in a re-
serve status rs Maryland officials
are. He said he felt sure, however,
the Governor would give careful
consideration to possible reappoint-
ment Of former draft board menu
bers willing to serve.
Col. Stanwood said Maryland's
organization was planned for more
than q year> in anticipation of q
CONSUMPTION law.
I'VE are In good shape to start
functioning as soon as the draft
law becomes effective" he said.
May Use Old Headquarters.
When the act is signed 1t will be
necessary for the persons now listed
in the reserve draft organization to
be recommended by the Governor
for presidential appointment, the
Associated Press reported. Col
Stanwood said the States draft
headquarters probably would re-
turn to the Fifth Regiment Armory
in Baltimore. where it functioned
during the war.
Meanwhile, strong indications
that Camp Pickett, Va, would be
reopened Immediately for training
inductees were given. Col. H. A.
Lubbmann, commanding officer, left
Blackstone, Va, for I'd Army Head
quarters at Fort Meade yesterday
after announcing receipt Of notice
that Camp Pickett would reopen.
At Fort Meade, I'd Army
Headquarters said Camp Pickett
has been inspected for possible re-
activation, but officials refused fur
ther comment. A spokesman, for
the Army Department said no in
formation was available.
Ne Official Notice Received.
Wartime draft board officials in
localities near Washington said they
had received no official word from
either Maryland or Virginia State,
headquarters. In Prince Georges
County, some clerks and other
workers have obtained other jobs
and said they would not be avail
able for draft board duty.
Montgomery County local officials
said the system there may have to
be reorganized for similar reasons.
Francis w. Hill, jr., who was chair
man of the board for the Bethesda
Chevy Chase area, said he and Fred
eric P. Lee. another board member,
had notified Col. Stanwood about q
month ago that they would be un-
able to serve again because of per-
sonal business.
Charles A. Davis, former chair
man of the Alexandria board, was
awaiting word from Virginia head
quarters.
Guard Enlistments Rise. -
1t. Douglas w. Stanton, jr., COM
mander of Battery B, 10th Anti.
aircraft Artillery, which is the Ma,
tional Guard unit In Alexandria,
said his outfit had more than dou-
bled this week. AS of Sunday, his
unit had 81 members, but on Mon
day 10 enlisted and 8 more signed up
Yesterday. Those who applied Mon
day already have been examined
and sworn in. The unit was organ
lied in March.
Capt. Charles E. Peter, commando
ing officer of the Service Company,
l15th Infantry Regiment, Maryland
National Guard, said about 80 en-
listments had been received during
the last 10 days at the Silver Spring
Armory, company headquarters.
Capt. Peter said about 16 of the
30 recruits had signed up after the
draft bill was passed Saturday
night. He said he had received
orders from Col. Louis G. Smith.
commanding officer Of the regiment.
placing deadline on enlistments
at midnight tonight.
Hyattsville's National Guard unit,
Anti-Tank Company of the ll5th
Infantry Regiment. reported that
IS enlistments in the last two days
have brought the unit up to its
authorized strength of 65. Most OF
the new Guardsmen are students
attending the University of Mary
land. Capt. Arthur B. Calhoun, jr,
company commander, said.
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