Evening star., 1951-03-06
Senate Drives for Vote
On Draft Bill After Il
Kills 49, Year Plan
By George Beveridge

The Senate today tackled con-
troverslal series of draft amend
ments, paving the way for final
action by tomorrow night on a
universal training and service bill
calling for compulsory induction
at 18 and draft service of "a
months
Remaining in session until q
o'clock last night, the Senate fin
ished action on the four major
amendments submitted by Senator
Morse. Republican, of Oregon.
Administration leaders won a
top-heavy victory on the most i'm
portant of them, beating down
by a vote of SIS to 31--a move to
lower the draft induction age only
six months to 1872. Then, in sue
cession, the Senate:
l. Approved by voice vote an
amendment to increase draft serv-
ice from 81 to "a months.
2. Defeated an amendment to
require that veteran-reservists re-
called to active duty could be
held in uniform for only 18
months.
3. Voted down, ST to 3, a pro-
posal to increase from $4,000 to
10000 the number of young
Servicemen who would be allowed
to go to college each year for
specific study courses after finish
ing basic training.
Long Session Slated Today.
Senate Majority Leader McFar-
land called for long session to-
day to wind up as many of the
pending amendments as possible,
and served notice he will hold a
night session tomorrow, if neces-
sary, to finish action on the bill.
In addition to the lowered age
limit and increased draft service
to expand the armed force i'm
mediately, the Senate measure has
two important provisions aimed
at building military strength for
the future. One would route all
draftees and enlistees into reserve
units for long periods of service
after active duty. The other would
authorize a universal military
training program for all 18-year-
olds at some future time when
world conditions settle down.
The House still is conducting
committee hearings on a similar
draft bill. In its present form,
however, that measure calls for
a minimum draft age of only
1872.
Meanwhile, Senator Taft, Re-
publican, of Ohio lined up with
Senators Bricker, Republican, of
Ohio and Edwin johnson, Demo-
crat, of Colorado today in an
effort to knock out the UNIT pro-
misunderstanding that a major
fight may revolye around this
issue.
Senator Taft said he didn't
think Congress should attempt to
make policy at this time on a pro-
gram which could not go into
effect until the international
situation eases.
But Senator Lyndon johnson,
Democrat, of Texas, floor man.
ager for the measure, predicted
confidently that the Senate will
beat down the UNIT opposition.
He also predicted defeat of moves
to limit operation of the man
power program to four years and
to place a manpower ceiling on
military strength.
Senator Johnsaon and other
Democratic leaders made clear
that they thought their main fight
was won when the Senate gave
indirect approval of the 18-year-
old draft decisively beating the
1812 proposal. Fourteen Repub-
licans joined Al Democrats in
turning down that amendment,
while only four Democrats voted
with 27 Republicans in favor of
the 1872 compromise.
Even if the 18-year-old provi-
sion is approved. it is unlikely that
any men of that age will be
drafted soon. The measure would
force draft boards to call all eligi-
BILE men between 19 and 26 before
taking any at 18.
Morse Wins Partial Victory.
Senator Morse won something
OF a victory, however, on the Sen
ate vote to extend draft service
to "a months, instead of the 26
urged in the Senate bill.
Sentiment swung in favor of the
24-month proposal after Chair
man Russell of the Senate Armed
Services Committee asked Senator
Morse to accept "a months instead
of insisting that service remain
at 81 months. Senator Morse
agreed and-with only about 25
Senators preSent-the amendment
passed by voice vote.
Senator Morse called up for first
consideration today an amend
ment to limit to three years vol
untary enlistment periods in any
service.
He also served notice, however,
that he may move to strike en-
tirely from the bill the provision
to allow 10000 servicemen to
get out of uniform in order to go
to college. Under the bill, these
men would be selected by apti-
tude tests under direction of
civilian commission appointed by
the President.
Senators Ives of New York and
Gordon of Oregon, Republicans,
strongly opposed the provision.
Capehart Plans Proposal.
In addition, Senator Capehart,
Republican, of Indiana planned
an amendment setting specific
standards for the deferment of
rert a in nnrrapto oaS af oil dro Fl