Evening star., 1948-04-21
Draftkay| Impair
Research Plans,
DR.. Bush Warns
Calls for Safeguards;
House Group Hears
Personnel Estimates
By Robert K. Walsh

of the Research Development
Board, warned the House Armed
Services Committee today that
a proposed draft bill to increase
the regular forces to zoos, 900
men might seriously impair the
scientific research program for
national security.
In a letter to the committee hc
Endorsed selective service as a min
imum necessity" now and urged i'm
mediate enactment of universal mil
itary training legislation. But he
asked the committee to amend the
bill so that adequate safeguards
would be assured to keep sufficient
trained men in scientific develop
ment work.
The committee, which today Off
cially received a selective service bill
introduced in the House late yester-
day, by its chairman, Representative
Andrews, Republican of New York,
heard Maj. Gen. John E. Dahlquist
report that the proposed draft of
men from 18 through Is would pro-
vide about 1852 900 unmarried, nom
father and non-veteran men each
year.
Would Induct 270,0O0.
Gen. Dahlquist, deputy director of
personnel in the administration di-
vision of the national military es-
tablishment, gave figures indicating
that only about 100000 men would
have to be inducted within the next
year if the draft bill is passed.
He explained that about 10000
present Regular Army, Navy and
Marine personnel would reinlist and
that another 100000 would have to
be enlisted or drafted to bring the
manpower total UP to the proposed
increases total specified in the An
drews bill.
The Navy, Marine Corps and Air
Force probably could obtain all the
men they need through voluntary
enlistments, he said. The Army
would need about 100000 new men
and he estimated that about 100000
of these would have to be obtained
through a draft.
Figure Could Be Cut.
Gen. Dahlquists estimates indi-
Gated that a total of 8,410,560 men
10 through Is would be subject to
possible induction. This number,
however, would be cut down to L.
$4,000 after eliminating veterans,
married men and men with children.
This figure, Gen. Dahluuist ex-
planned, probably will be reduced
still more, possibly below 100000
after physical disqualifications.
DIR. Bush suggested that a Sepa-
rate manpower board be provided
to study the manpower picture on a
Nation wide basis, weigh the civilian,
scientific and military claims for
manpower, and report to the Presi-
dent on the most effective way Of
allocating men.
He decried "the notion Of push
button war and a belief that we
would be only button pushers." He
declared that if war broke out to-
morrow it would be "a long hard
slugging match"
Wherry Predicts Action.
Meanwhile, Acting Senate Majori-
ty Leader Wherry made the follow
ing predictions as to what Congress
finally will do on national defense:
l. Provide adequate funds 'for a
satisfactory Air Force and the nee
essary complement to go with it."
2. A satisfactory allotment for
military and naval research.
3. A variety of incentives to en-
courage voluntary enlistments, but
with draft machinery authorized to
be put in motion by the President if
manpoWer quotas are not met
voluntarily.
Morse Tells Of Support.
Senator Wherry pointed to pro-
vision being considered by the House
to exempt 18-year-olds from the
draft If they Joined the National
Guard, as an example of what he
means by incentives.
Senator Morse, Republican, of
oregon, told reporters that 20 Sena-
tors came to him late yesterday to
say they agreed in principle with his
demand for a new armed service
merger law.
Senator Morse said he would take
the floor in the Senate again this
afternoon in support of his conten-
ton that the recent delay among
military leaders in agreeing on