Evening star., 1951-11-04
Showdown on UNIT
Congress Must Face FinoI Decision As Days
After 1t Reconvenes in Junuuy
By GEORGE Beyeridoe


Two developments last week set
the stage-four months in advance
for what may turn out to be Con-
gress showdown fight on universal
military training.
The first was a report to Congress
oy the National Security Training
Commission. The commission, auth
orlzed by Congress and appointed
by the President, urged legislation
without delay" to put UNIT on the
statute books. 1t proposed a detailed
training program. But it also raised
serious questions about when a sub
stantial UNIT program could actually
swing into operation.
The second was a subsequent dis
closure by commission members that
the military services were working
on plans to induct about 10000 of
the Nations 100000 18-year- -olds into
UNIT next summer. The commission
erS said they approved Of this mod
est" start. and felt it had a chance
OF materializing.
However, the suggestion of a small
UNIT force next year faces a major
hurdle-in the form of the 82d
Congress-before it can become even
a possibility.
Under the draft law, UNIT induc-
tions can be ordered by the President
or by Congress only after Congress
enactS certain provisions for UNIT.
Mainly, they deal with legal authori-
cations, and the benefits and duties
of trainees. The two Armed Services
Committees must report bills on the
commissions recommendations COW
ering these points to the House and
Senate within As Legislative" days
after Congress reconvenes in jan
uary.
Outlook Con Chonee
Between now and next March,
when the legislation is slated for
consideration, a sudden international
crisis-or even a tightening of ten
sions-could change the whole out
look for UNIT. But, excluding that,
1t seems certain that proposals for
a small UNIT force next year will be
in the spotlight on Capitol Hill-and
provide ammunition for those on
both sides of the UNIT fence.
At the heart Of the proposal Is
the complicated question Of whether
youths between Is and 19-who
would be liable for UMT-can be
spared from the manpower pool
which must be available to keep up
armed forces strength.
Under draft laws, youths are liable
for two years service between the
ages of 1872 and 26. While draft
boards have not yet reached the 1914
age group, officials warn they are
moving toward that level. and will
need a continuing supply of men
coming into the draft pool"
If the demand should persist, and
If all l8-year- were routed into
UNIT instead of being called for ac-
tive service. it is obvious that the
manpower pool would dry up.
Hershey Drows Picture
In a strongly worded analysis,
Selective Service Director Lewis B.
Hershey recently estimated enough
men will be available to meet De-
fense Department demands on the
draft system until next July l. How
ever, he said. this probably would
require drafting some childless hus-
bands, some men previously rejected
under mental test standards and
some 1872 year -olds.
And he added:
Whatever the optimism for the
period prior to July /, 1852. it does
not extend to the subsequent II
months. Inevitably. there will be
fewer LAS at the beginning of that
required to maintain authorized
strength will be greater during that
12-month period, because the regis
trants who have been inducted dur
ing the past II months must be re-
placed as their 24-month period OF
service will have expired"
The National Security Training
Commission report also noted the
seriousness of manpower demands to
maintain the present force of 3.6 mil
lion men. But it urged that "all pos
sible thought and effort" be devoted
to a gradual reduction in size of the
armed forces in order to escape the
staggering costs of large standing
force.
UNIT. the commission said. could
I'll the gap created by this reduction,
and it urged that UNIT inductions
begin "as soon as reasonable num-
ber of young men under 19 can be
spared from induction into the armed
forces"
At press conference later, DR..
Karl T Compton spokesman for the
commission in the absence of Chair
man James w WadsWorth. told re-
porters his group considered the in
duction of $4,000 18-ye>r-olds into
UNIT a good base" And, assuming
Congress cleared the way next spring,
he said. the Pentagon could be ready
to handle 10000 youths by summer.
Townsend Hopes, who left as ex-