Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-15
President Says Defense Plans
Must Be Designed for so Years;
Us Million Reserves Souqht
Huge Military
Monpower Plan
To Be Asked
By John A. Giles

ny john ~. SiteS
A sweeping new military man
power plan, aimed at providing
2.5 million active reservis.s with
in four years, is expected to be
announced at the Pentagon FRI
day.
AS now mapped, the military
requirement for qualified young
men would be 10 years. Thus, a
youth indicted into the armed
services for two years active
duty then would be required to
remain in a reserve outfit for
eight years additional time.
President Eisenhower, who
has said the program would be
one of his chief legislative goals
during the coming session of
Congress, will ask the lawmakers
to enact a four-year program.
Asked at a news conference
today about the new Reserve
program, the President said he
though it was far cry from
universal military training, but
that reporters should take any
specific questions to a Friday
news conference scheduled by
Secretary of Defense Wilson and
Assistant Secretary Carter Bur-
CESS to explain details of the
program.
Stirs Up Controversy.
The subject was one of the
major topics discussed Monday
and yesterday by President Eli
senhower and his advisers with
congressional leaders. One Re-
publican who asked not to be
named said it stirred up more
controversy than any other
point considered. He said he did
not think it would satisfy "the
UNIT boys"
An official said today it was
felt a four-year program stood
a much better chance of enact
ment. A permanent program.
he said, would run into objec-
tons on grounds II would tend
to look too militaristic.
Similarly, every effort is being
made to steer away from a uni
versal military training program
or even mention of it. The pro-
gram would be universal, how
ever, in the sense that all quail
fed young men could look for
ward to active or reserve duty.
Six-Month Training.
A six month training program
would be set up to furnish the
ground forces with reserve
manpower. The number in such
a training corps, however, would
be restricted. Those who are
not taken into this six-month
training cycle. either because
of failure to qualify or because
of a lack of space, would be re-
quired either to enlist in the
regular forces or be drafted.
The plan will be tied closely
to a request for an extension of
the draft act. which expires next
June 80.
The program will be designed
to satisfy the conflicting demands
of the armed forces. provide the
maximum equity of service and
allow use of several courses Of
action from which to choose.
Political Relations Drive.
Every effort is being made to
make the program politically
palatable. Announcement of it
has been withheld in recent
weeks while Mr.. Burgess, Assist
ant Defense Secretary for Man.
power, puts forth an about
effort to mobilize such powerful
groups as the American Legion,
National Guard Association and
Reserve Officers Association in
support of the program.
A special inter-service COM
mittee also has been closely
studying the actual training pro-
grams for reservistS. It Is felt
they can be greatly improved.
OF the more than 2.5 million
men in the reserves. a total of
750,597 now are in drill-pay
status.
The new manpower plan is
likely to be costly. running into
several billion dollars annually.