Evening star., 1948-05-16
Martin Expects House
To Pass Stopgap DRAFT,
Block Youth Training


dicted House approval Of a stopgap
draft plan, but expressed his opposi-
ton to q Senate proposal for one
year training for thousands Of 18-
year-olds.
Mr.. Martin told news conference
that the House Rules Committee
would send the controversial temp
orary draft measure to the House
floor this week. Then the House
will approve it, probably the follow
ing week, he added.
It calls for registration of men 18
through 80 years with those from
10 through Is subject to two years
of compulsory military service.
Mr.. Martin said q provision allow
ing President Truman to put the
actual draft machinery into opera
ton 60 days after the bill becomes
a law would be included.
Senate Bill Unacceptable
This is necessary, he explained,
because Congress will quit June 10
and so would not be in session at
the time for a decision on actual
inductions.
Mr.. Martin said there is no posi-
bility of the House accepting sub
stitute training plan now pending
in the Senate. 1t calls, in addition
to the draft, for one-year training
Of 161, 900 18-year-olds and was
developed as substitute for univer-
sal military training.
This is totally unacceptable" Mr..
Martin said, adding that even If
the Senate approves there is no pos
s!bility of compromise by the House
on this.
Meanwhile, a study disclosed that
the American taxpayer will have
to ante up $15,2s3, ,o00, 900 for the
military establishment during the
next fiscal year If all pending money
bills are approved by Congress and
the President.
4 Billion Over Request.
This is 1896 900, 900 more than
President Truman recommended in
January for operation of the Army,
Navy, Air Force and miscellaneous
function of the national military
establishment for the IL months
beginning July l.
If prices and wages continue at
their present level, and if the forces
are strengthened as now contem-
plated and aircraft procurement
remains at the Congressionally
authorized level, the total cost in
the 1850 fiscal year will Jump an
other 81 2,000, 900 900 to $17. 900, 900, ,0O0
The following year, authorizations
and commitments probably will
raise the cost again.
The military budget for next year
will provide men and operating ex-
penses for the compromise 66-group
Air Force recommended by Secre-
tary of Defense Forrestal. Defense
officials say that this was agreed to
by Gen. Carl Spaatz before he re-
tired as air chief of staff because the
Army. would not have enough men
next year to require the additional
two troop-carrier and two light
bombardment groups-which act as
units for ground troops
in the 70-group plan.
Congress has authorized the full
10 groups as far as the purchasing
Of planes is concerned, however
and President Truman is expected
to sign the measure within two or
three days. n< aslse'.&a y.
Only Planes Provided.
saThis bill provides money now to
start building the 70-group Air
Force, but it provides for planes
alone and does not pay for their
operation and repair or provide SAL
aries for additional needed person.
nei. The full 10 groups are ex-
pected to be fully manned and op-
Grating by 1858. -~'--~~---.--.---..4
/" OF the more than S15 900. 900, 900
in appropriations likely for the next
fiscal year, the Army will receive