Evening star., 1950-07-10
Recruiters Stressinq
Chance Of Draft Call;
Letters Sent 10 10000

LeHerS 9enl 10 lU,WV
Possibility of an early draft call
gave armed forces recruiting off,
GERS a strong talking point today
In their intensified drive to get
volunteers.
The Potomac River Naval Com
mand announced it is sending let
ters to more than 10000 officer
and enlisted Navy reservists in
the Washington area seeking vol
unteers for at least six months of
active duty in certain classifica-
tions.
The first three Navy reservists
from this area who answered the
call will go on active duty within
three or four days. the command
announced.
The Army and Air Force have
issued similar appeals for reserv-
lists with specialized training. The
armed services also are maintain-
ing daily except Sunday operation
of downtown recruiting offices
for enlistments in the regular
branches. Officers reported receiv-
ing more inquiries today than a |
week ago, but said the rate of en-
listments has been about the
same in recent days.
Defends on Volunteers.
The size Of the draft calls, if |
and when ordered, will depend
largely on the number of men who
volunteer. Officials have COM
mented that use of the draft, even
on a small scale. would bring a |
faster increase In voluntary en-
listments and active duty applica-
tions. There have been indications
at the Pentagon that a draft call
might come this month.
Both the Army and Navy last
Saturday issued special requests
for officers and enlisted men in
specified Reserve organizations to
sign up for active duty. The Air
Force made similar appeal ear
lier in the week.
Among the first to sign up at
the Naval Reserve recruiting Of
fee at the Naval Gun Factory,
Eighth and M streets Sc, yes
terday was an Army veteran. He
was Randolph H. Aston, 81, of
729 Otis place NV, a Post Office
clerk, who served with the 7th
Army Corps in the European in
vasion. He is married and has
two children.
"Tired of Eating Mud"
He joined the Navy Reserve
after three years in the Army and
told recruiting officers he was
"tired of eating mud"
Other Reservists who signed
yesterday were William K. Lang.
38, of 1922 Buena Vista terrace
Sc, a Labor Department clerk.
and Henry S. Wickham, 26, of
1854 Massachusetts, avenue NV,
a business machine operator in
the Navy Department accounts
division.
Mr.. Wickham served for three
years in the Navy on troop ships
during the. war. Mr.. Lang, whose
wife is employed by the Navy De-
partment, was a chief commune
cations technical specialist at
Pearl Harbor during the war.
Applications Taken.
The Reserve recruiting Office at
Building 1875 at the Naval Gun |
Factory receives applications from
enlisted men in the Reserves. It
will be open daily and Sundays
from 8 am. to 8 pm.
Navy reserve officers are asked
to apply at the Bureau of Naval
Personnel in the Navy Depart
ment. Enlisted reservists who be-
long to organized naval air units
can sign up for active duty or
obtain information at the Ana
costa Naval Air Station.
Hours at the Army and Air
Force Station at 403 Tenth street
NV. are from $3.50 am. to S
pm. The Navy and Marine re-
S pm. The Navy and Marine re-
cruiting office at 1400 Pennsyl-
vania avenue NV. is open from
$3.50 am. to 4:30 pm.
Montgomery County draft
boards went on f1ve-day work
week today on orders of the Mary
land Selective Service System.
Clerks for the three boards at
Rockville Post Office, Chevy Chase
Recreation Center and the Jesup-
Blair House in Silver Spring had
been stating the Offices only one
day a week.
Petty Officers Sought.
The Navys campaign to Obtain,
voluntary enlistments of reserv-
lists for 6 to IL months of active
duty applies particularly to en-
listed men with ratings above re-
IT, NAE -