Evening star., 1960-06-26
SIMILAR TO MILITARY SERVICE
Point Four Youth Corps for U.S..

graduation they would be given
a three to six months course Of
specialized instruction, stressing
languages and technical training.
There is a possibility that these
volunteers would be credited with
the usual period of military serv-
ice, as has been done for those
participating in the International
Voluntary Services program.
Poy Like MiIitory
Each volunteer would be paid
on a modest scale of compen-
sation, perhaps $50 a month in
addition to expenses. Selection
would be on the basis of en-
thuSiasm for such grassroots jobs
and way of living, plus the ability
to work successfully with ordinary
people in the underdeveloped
areas. At first the aim would be
to recruit about 1000 in the next
two or three years, with a goal of
perhaps 10 times that number.
There are now 5000 Americans
abroad engaged in the foreign aid
program under ICA. 1t is esti-
mated that $50 million annually
would send 10000 Youth Corps
members into the field.
The State Department has been
skeptical about the practically of
the plan, largely because it may
involve new administrative prob
lens in addition to its present
ones. However, foreign aid Of
ficialS believe that a Youth Corps
could be integrated into the
existing operation possibly by
placing it under semi-private
control. For example, contracts
might be made with universities
specializing in these fields to
choose the candidates and even
to operate the program with
Government administrative sup
port. The young people would be
supervised by competent older
administrators and technicians
now serving in the economic aid
program.
Nevertheless, there may we'll be
a problem of fitting recent col
lege graduates into the economic
aid program. For one thing ICA
policy has been to use nationals
of the country for some of the
tasks which the Youth Corps
would perform. Also, many under
developed countries have urged
the ICA to send high-ranking
and experienced men from uni
versity faculties in the United
States. In fact, some of the most
successful university-directed pro-
grams in the underdeveloped
areas have not included those
below the rank of associate pro-
fessor
Students Enthusiastic
College students seem enthusi-
astic about participating in from
tier living overseas. More than 400
students at Lehigh University
have sent Mr.. Reuss a petition
stating their willingness to serve.
The United States National Stu
dent Association, representing
some 100000 students in 375
colleges and universities, is mo-
bilizing support for the Youth
Corps idea. In Washington, Dean
Ernest S. Griffith of American
University's School of Inter-
national Service believes he will
have 10 to 20 candidates avail
able for the Corps when the
school reaches its full enrolment,
especially in Africa, where youth
is an advantage in dealing with
the natives.
Quite a number of outstanding
college graduates are now apply
ing for jobs in underdeveloped
areas. For example, Sam Bowles,
son of Representative Bowles,
Democrat of Connecticut, who re-
Gently graduated magma cum
laude from Yale, will leave short
iy to take a two-year job as a
history teacher in one of North
ern Nigerias secondary schools.