Evening star., 1949-12-17
Reluctant Congress
To Be Asked 10 Extend
Draft for Three Years
Johnson, Acheson Seek
Action to Bolster Defense
Against Communism
By the Associated Press

Administration leaders definitely
will ask an unwilling Congress to
extend the peacetime draft for
three more years.
It was learned today that De-
fense Secretary johnson and Sec
retary of State Acheson will urge
the extension at the next session
as a necessary part of the all-out
defense against communism.
The present act, passed by a
reluctant Congress in l948, is due
to expire June "a.
One congressional source. who
asked that his name not be used,
said the selective service extern
sion lis number one item on de-
fense legislative musts."
Mr.. johnson already has in
formed Congress that continual
ton of the draft machinery is
essential to national security"
S16,700,000 Sought.
He has asked an annual fund of
SIG, 900 to operate the Nation
wide system Of registering and
classifying youths from 18 through
25 years.
Mr.. Johnson's communication to
congressional leaders cited several
points to support his requests.
The draft is. needed, he said, to
back up President Truman's dec
laration that the United States
supports the powerful forces for
freedom. justice and peace which
are represented by the United Ma
tions and the free nations of the
world"
Mr. johnson added that Mr..
Acheson fears the end of selective
service might be regarded abroad
as inconsistent with our policies
under the Atlantic pact and mill
tary assistance program.
Finally, he said, unsettled world
conditions which caused passage
of the 1948 peacetime draft still
prevail.
Secretary Johnson's request to
the Senate and House merely
asked a three-year extension of
the draft act as it stands now.
Concession to Congress.
Since the present act is consid-
erably less than the administra-
ton originally asked, this appeared
to be a concession to a strong
congressional feeling that the need
for, the draft no longer exists.
Originally, the administration
wanted the right to draft men for
at least two years service in the
18-through-25 age bracket. Con-
gress cut this down to 81 months.
and gave 18-year-olds the chance
to resign.
Senator Edwin c. johnson,
Democrat, of Colorado and other
draft critics said these moves in
dicated to them there was no need
for the peacetime selective service
and that it should be abandoned.
Even Chairman Tydings of the
Senate Armed Services Commit
tee said it may be difficult to get
Congress to approve an extension.
Stimulates Enlistments.
Secretary johnson apparently
anticipated opposition. Although
men are not actually being drafted
now, he said, having the law on
the books stimulates voluntary
enlistments.
What's more, he said, having
the selective service machinery set
up and operating would save at
least four months, if it should
become necessary to mobilize man
power for a national emergency
In the future.
This saving, he added, could be
the difference between a quick
and successful victory and a long,
war.
Mr.. johnson asked Congress toI
authorize use of SIG, 100000 each
year to keep the draft organiza-
tion operating. That is about
double the $8.500,00o Congress
voted this year to operate selec-
tive service. !