Evening star., 1955-02-02
Science Students
Release From Armed
Forces Is Opposed
By Cecil HoIlond


military service young men with
promising scientific capabilities
ran into opposition today as the
House Armed Services Committee
continued hearings on a four
year extension of the draft.
Representative Hinshaw. Re-
publican of California. argued
for the proposal and said the
draft is largely responsible for
"the growing shortage Of scien-
fists, engineers and technicians."
He expressed fears this country
was falling behind Soviet Russia
In scientific and engineering
manpower.
Mr.. Hinshaw, an engineer. has
introduced a bill that would set
up a national scientific man
power board. The board would
determine whether inductees
have sufficiently promising scien-
tific capabilities to be released
from military service.
Vinson Questions Proposal.
Committee Chairman Vinson
and other" committee members
questioned the workability Of
Mr.. Hinshaw's proposal.
Mr.. Vinson wondered on what
factors a board could base a de-
cision and determine whether an
inductee at 10. 20 or 81 years
of age would turn out to be a
competent scientist or engineer.
Mr.. Hinshaw said engineering
and scientific ability is not too
hard to recognize. He cited ex-
cellence in study as one major
factor.
Under Mr.. Hinshaw's plan, a
young man indicted for mill
tary service could apply within
80 days to a special board COM
posed of men qualified to judge
who may be scientists and tech
nicians.
Would Make Reports.
Such an applicant would have
his records transferred to the
board if found qualified and on
the completion of his basic train
ing and before 80 days would be
discharged from the military
service. He would be required
to make periodic reports to the
board. and If he varied from
study or employment in science
or technology before reaching
the age of IS, would have his
records returned to selective
service.
Representative Devereux, Re-
publican, of Maryland asked
whether the Hinshaw plan would
set up a preferred group" Mr..
Hinshaw argued that it would
not but instead would set up "a
preferred call on a highly quail
fled group"
Mai. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey,
director of Selective Service, ex-
pressed doubts about Mr.. Hin
shaw's proposal in testimony yes
terday before the committee.
Gen. Hershey suggested instead
the possibility of advisory boards
working with selective service
on the problem.
Representative Harrison, DEM
ocrat, of Virginia, testified
against a present Selective Serv-
ice ruling against defernent of
wheat farmers on the ground
that there is a wheat surplus.
He argued that wheat is a basic
crop and should be considered in
that light rather than on the
basis of supply.
Mr.. Harrison said the selective
service policy is Overriding the
intent of Congress" and should
be changed or agriculture defer
ments abandoned altogether.
Patton Offers Suggestion.
James G. Patton, president of
the National Farmers Union.
urged the committee to adopt an
amendment specifically author
izing extended deferment of
operators of family sized farms.
young scientists, skilled indus
trial workers and other groups
important to national economic
mobilization"
Several opposition statements
were received as the committee
sought to complete the public
hearings. E. Raymond Wilson,
executive secretary of the
Friends Committee on National
Legislation, opposed the draft as
"a system of military compul-