Evening star., 1952-08-04
Drafting Of Fathers
Seen as Services Call
For More Manpower
By George Beveridqe

Draft officials are seriously con-
sidering the possibility of draft
ing fathers to increase manpowerI
supplies to meet needs of the
armed forces.
Selective Service Director LewisI
b. Hershey made this clear today
in an article in an official publi-
cation of the draft agency.
In the article, Gen. Hershey
told a reporter he had no inten-
ton of knocking out fatherhood|
deferments within the next few
months. But, with draft calls ex-
pected to zoom after the first of
the year, a concentrated review
of the dependency deferments Isl
of the utmost importance" he
said.
Fast Action Favored.
At a recent meeting of State
draft chiefs here. some of the Off
cials repeatedly favored fast ac-
ton on father deferments. At
least one national citizens group
also was said to favor a change.
In the article. Gen. Hershey
said this country historically has
given more weight to fatherhcod
in deferments than any other ma
ton. This philosophy. he said,
has been based on specific wars
large in size but definite in ma
ture." In previous wars, he said,
it was presumed the status of
fatherhood existed when the obli-
cation Of military service was i'm
posed.
But in an indefinite PERIOD"
such as the present one, "the
status of fatherhood-with rela-
lively few exceptions-occurs sub
sequent to the commencement of
the obligation to serve" the gen.
eral declared. He added:
This fact always raises the
question of the use of fatherhood
as a method of avoiding service.
eff the armed forces must be
maintained at anywhere near
their present level then defer
ment must mean what it was in
tended to mean-a delay at most
in the fulfillment of a certain
obligation.
Under concept Of this ma
ture, we are faced with a re-
survey Of the problem for those
who gain dependents either be-
cause Of the presence of the obli-
CATION or in the knowledge that
the obligation of service must
be met"
Gains Already Absorbed.
Despite light draft calls for sew
eral months, Selective Service al
ready has absorbed gains to its
manpower pool through the addi-
tion of childless husbands and
youths between ages Of 1872 and
19.
The Pentagon has issued a draft
call for 10000 men in September.
It plans calls of $4,000 a month
from october through December.
This increase is to replace draftees
who start leaving services in Sep
tember after "a months in uni
form.
Discussing the increased calls,
Gen. Hershey said that "the ques-
tion which must be faced in the
not-too-distant future is the
source Of the manpower which
will inevitably be needed
In the draft-liable age brackets
of 181a-26, the four major defer
ment groups include: Occupation
al. 100000, including 100000
students and 100000 farmers;
National Guard and other re-
serves 100000; 4-F, is million;
dependency deferments. 100000.
One of Largest Groups.
1.-THE group deferred for de-
pendency." Gen. Hershey said, "is
one Of the largest that can be
made available to supplement the
present supply of manpower. The
future policy in relation to this
group is of the utmost impor-
tance."
Gen. Hershey said he had mo
settled feeling" about standards
which would be set if officials de-
eide to draft fathers. There are
several alternatives, he indicated,
which would be considered.
Before any decision is made, he
added, officials also will consider
dips into other deferred groups.
The student group, he said, will
be one to come under major
scrutiny.