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Military Draft, April 15, 1951
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Military Draft, April 15, 1951
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D14, folder "Military Draft, April 15, 1951" of
the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D14 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
STATEMENT OF GERALD R. FORD, JR. ISSUED APRIL 5, 1951
From my analysis of the President's recent executive order
I am convinced that it contains serious discriminatory provi-
sions. Mr. Truman has directed that a substantial number of
college students, both present and potential, be deferred
from military service. Unfortunately the President's directive
will force young men who cannot afford to go to college into
the armed forces, in effect making this a poor man's army.
I am most sympathetic with the local draft boards that are
sincerely attempting to operate under discriminatory and con-
fusing executive orders from the White House and Selective
Service Headquarters in Washington. I hope, however, that the
local draft boards will not resign during this emergency period
where their invaluable experience and ability will be most
helpful. This over-all problem must be restudied by the
President in view of new legislation which Congress is about
to enact. In the meantime, I trust Mr. Truman will withdraw
his seemingly discriminatory order pending such Congressional
action.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
STATEMENT OF GERALD R. FORD, JR. ISSUED APRIL 5, 1951
From my analysis of the President's recent executive order
I am convinced that it contains serious discriminatory provi-
sions. Mr. Truman has directed that a substantial number of
college students, both present and potential, be deferred
from military service. Unfortunately the President's directive
will force young men who cannot afford to go to college into
the armed forces, in effect making this a poor man's army.
I am most sympathetic with the local draft boards that are
sincerely attempting to operate under discriminatory and con--
fusing executive orders from the White House and Selective
Service Headquarters in Washington. I hope, however, that the
local draft boards will not resign during this emergency period
where their invaluable experience and ability will be most
helpful. This over-all problem must be restudied by the
President in view of new legislation which Congress is about
to enact. In the meantime, I trust Mr. Truman will withdraw
his seemingly discriminatory order pending such Congressional
action.
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
1951
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE
3409
Mr. NELSON. In other words, if this
Mr. KILDAY I will agree thoroughly
Mr. BAILEY. And it reports to the
restriction in this bill is good, an addi-
with the gentleman on that. It is a fact
Congress?
tional restriction forbidding the Presi-
that every phase of the naval-reserve
Mr. KILDAY. Yes; the commission
dent to send troops to Europe would also
program has been in far better condition
has to report to the Congress.
be good; is that true?
than that of either the Army or the Air
The bill provides that the Commission
Mr. KILDAY. No; I think this pro-
Force.
is intended to be a part-time commission.
vision is probably of debatable validity
Let us go a little further: When the
In other words it provides a $50 per diem
without more. It should be followed
Pentagon bill came here I studied it quite
while members of the Commission are
up in the appropriation bill with a re-
thoroughly, and I found myself to be in
engaged in their duties. I am probably
striction against the use of the funds.
violent disagreement with it. I dis-
somewhat responsible for that. I took
We have that power.
agreed on many things.
the position that the Commission should
Mr. NELSON. I thank the gentle-
I have mentioned the fact of the inter-
not be a full-time commission because
man.
mingling of the two phases of the bill
I wanted men of the caliber of Dr. Karl
Mr. KILDAY. I think it is a very
and the 18-year-old draft. Our com-
T. Compton to serve on it, and I wanted
difficult question, and nobody on the
mittee has some information about uni-
men of the type who would not resign
committee to my knowledge agrees with
versal military training. In 1945 the
their civilian and private pursuits to be-
me.
former Committee on Military Affairs
come members of the Commission, but
Mr. COX. Mr. Chairman, will the
held long and exhaustive hearings on the
who would be sincerely interested, such
gentleman yield?
question of universal military training.
as educators of the highest type, and
Mr. KILDAY. I yield to the gentle-
Later a special committee appointed by
perhaps religious leaders and others in-
man from Georgia.
the Speaker under Hon. Clifton Wood-
terested from a civilian standpoint in
Mr. COX. The knowledge of the
rum, formerly a Member of the House
the military.
problems and all of the problems involved
from Virginia and now deceased, held
I understand now that some feel that
in the pending bill displayed by the gen-
months of hearings and took volumes of
is not a proper provision and that it
tleman now having the floor and by his
testimony on the subject. Later the
should be a full-time commission. Com-
chairman [Mr. VINSON], and their fair
President appointed the commission
pared to the major issues that we have
and forceful presentation of their argu-
headed by Dr. Carl T. Compton, of the
here, in my opinion that is a very small
ments, begets confidence that should give
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
question. I will accept either provision.
a feeling of security and comfort to peo-
and a number of others, including Mrs.
It is a toss-up whether I was right or
ple interested in the security of the coun-
Anna Rosenberg, who signed the report
wrong on that question of the $50 per
try in following them in the position
and repudiated it when she came before
diem. I think a commission appointed
they now take.
the committee. That committee re-
by the President and confirmed by the
Mr. KILDAY. I thank the gentleman.
ported favorably. Thereafter the gen-
Senate would necessarily be of a caliber
Mr. COX. It is surprising to me that
tleman from New Jersey [Mr. TOWE]
SO much higher than if they were ap-
here, at a time when we virtually are
offered a bill and our committee held ex-
pointed by an administrative agency.
living under the muzzle of Russian guns,
haustive hearings on universal military
You would not have difficulties with such
we should be fiddling over the drafting of
training and reported the Towe bill dur-
a commission as you may have experi-
boys of 18 or the adoption of universal
ing the Eightieth Congress. So we felt
enced with civilian agencies where ap-
military training.
we knew a little something about this
pointments were made without sena-
Mr. KILDAY. I thank the gentleman
subject and that we should inquire care-
torial approval.
from Georgia. He embarrasses me, but
fully into it. One thing to which I ob-
Mr. BAILEY. I thank the gentleman.
I like it.
jected in this bill most strongly was the
Mr. KILDAY. Another thing which
Mr. CRUMPACKER. Mr. Chairman,
fact that it provided for no civilian com-
was proposed in the Pentagon bill was
will the gentleman yield?
mission. It placed the entire program
that there should be no separate corps,
Mr. KILDAY. I yield to the gentle-
under the control of the military. That
but that these boys would be integrated
man from Indiana.
was not in accordance with any proposal
into the regular military forces of the
Mr. CRUMPACKER. In connection
for universal military training that had
United States. How anyone could be-
with this rotation of marines, is it not a
ever been made in the past. None of the
lieve that the American people would
fact that a good share of the marines
programs advocated by the American Le-
accept that is beyond me. Every pro-
being sent as replacements are reserv-
gion or the Reserve Officers Association
gram suggested has indicated that there
ists who have been called up?
nor the Compton commission had ever
should be a separate corps; that these
Mr. KILDAY. My Reserve outfit has
contemplated that the trainees under
boys should be segregated; that their
been over in Korea for months, and I
UMT should be completely controlled by
morals should be protected; that they
think that practically all of the original
the military, but that there should be, as
should not be subject to martial law;
Marine Reserve organizations were com-
the Compton commission suggested, a
that they be retained as trainees and not
mitted.
commission composed of three civilians
members of the Armed Forces. The mil-
I was amused with the gentleman from
and two military men. So I was cer-
itary heretofore had always agreed to
North Carolina's defense of the Marine
tainly opposed to a complete military
that. At Camp Knox, Ky., they provided
Corps, because sitting next to me was a
control of the 18-year-old boys of the
for a code of conduct. This bill pro-
very distinguished combat Marine Corps
country.
vides for a code of conduct and relieves
major, of our professional staff, who
Mr. BAILEY. Mr. Chairman, will the
them from court martial.
wrote every word in this bill after we had
gentleman yield?
So I found myself in disagreement with
agreed on the provisions which we want-
Mr. KILDAY. I yield.
the Pentagon bill.
ed. So I take his information as a Ma-
rine Reservist, and I think all the com-
Mr. BAILEY. Speaking of this com-
This bill takes care of that by creating
mission, does the present legislation pro-
a national security code. These boys
mittee does.
vide for that commission to report to
will be segregated. They will be trained
Mr. CRUMPACKER. The gentleman
the Congress or to the military authori-
among themselves. Perhaps the most
mentioned the flight to the Marines since
ties? That question has been raised.
dangerous provisions of that bill were
this crisis began. They are not being
Mr. KILDAY. It reports to the Con-
the two following, that for the next 3
trained or sent as replacements any fast-
gress. The bill requires a report as to
years 75,000 annually should be chosen
er than the Army draftees, are they?
the program and the number under
by an agency of government, and ex-
Mr. KILDAY. I do not know whether
training and the conditions and all
empt from service in order that they
it is any faster or not, but the numbers
about it.
might study the sciences, the healing
are greater.
Mr. BAILEY. Will the distinguished
arts, and the humanities. In other
Mr. CRUMPACKER. The point I am
gentleman from Texas explain to the
words, for 3 years 75,000 boys would
trying to get to is that the marines were
members of the committee how that
be chosen by some agency of the Gov-
able to send replacements sooner because
commission is selected and other details
ernment-and the way our Government
they had an effective reserve, while the
concerning it?
operates, that agency, whatever it was,
Army has had to train draftees some
Mr. KILDAY. It is appointed by the
would probably have originated with
months before they could send them as
President with the confirmation of the
the present military program-so that
replacements.
Senate.
after 6 or 7 years from now we would
3410
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE
APRIL 4
have found that every doctor in the
Mr. KILDAY. Certainly, It can; in the
man capable of sending his boy to col-
United States was someone foreordained
plan to be submitted by this commission
lege over the one who is incapable of
by the Government to practice medi-
that can be done. Now, let me go ahead.
sending his boy to college. I agree thor-
cine. I say that that is totally contrary
I have a whole lot more important
oughly; that is a grave disparity; it is
to everything we have ever believed in
things. The gentleman is very well taken'
not a uniform service required in this
the American system-that some agency
care of.
emergency and during a shooting war.
of government is going to determine
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. Mr. Chair-
and it would permit one capable of going
who our doctors and our scientists are
man, will the gentleman yield for one
to college to get into college, take the
going to be. But that was contained
question in that regard?
examination, and stay out with the hope
in the Pentagon bill.
Mr. KILDAY. I yield.
"that within the time that he had to do
There was another provision by which
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. Would the
his 6 monhs, as compared to the present
an unnamed number could be selected
24 months' service required be counted
26 months, there would be no shooting;
by the military to be assigned to col-
in on the training that is set up in this
that if there was still shooting he would
leges, to take ROTC training, and sug-
National Security Training Corps if it
have to do his 26. But things are going
gested that they be subsidized in so do-
went to a college? Or must we depend
to get SO much better or so much worse
ing; in exchange for 2 years of service
upon a plan that may be submitted by
that they are willing to gamble-and
if educated without subsidy, and 3 years
this commission?
there are such people in certain parts of
of training if educated with subsidy. It
Mr. KILDAY. The 24 months in col-
the country-he would delay his service,
was indicated that under that provi-
lege would not be counted as military
perhaps reduce it by 20 months if the
sion approximately 175,000 would be se-
service.
war was over. That, of course, is a very
lected.
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. If the
valid objection to the program an-
So there you would have 225,000 Gov-
commission came in with a plan, would
nounced; I disagree with that program
ernment and military chosen men going
they be compelled to submit the plan for
thoroughly and completely. And I have
to your colleges, while the intake in col-
a 24 months' period for selective service
another disagreement with it which is
leges now is a little higher than normal;
as required in the first part of the act?
equally fundamental, in my opinion, and
in normal times about 375,000 boys go to
Mr. KILDAY. Yes; it is 26, not 24.
is the same objection I voiced in per-
college each year. So that out of your
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. Then let
mitting an agency of Government to
375,000, 225,000 of all of the college stu-
us say 26.
select the 75,000 to study the sciences,
dents in the United States would be
Mr. KILDAY. Yes.
the healing arts, and the humanities.
chosen by the Government before they
Mr. VINSON. If the gentleman will
At the proper time I propose to offer an
ever began their courses of study. I
pardon an interruption. I think he has
amendment substantially as follows-it
certainly could not accept that part of
been misled by the statement.- It is 6
will appear on page 46, line 13, immedi-
the proposal with respect to the hand-
months' training under the UMT pro-
ately following the word "board":
picked 75,000 men.
gram; that is all the plan would call for,
Strike out the quotation marks and insert
Within the last few days there has
a 6 months' training program.
the following sentence: "Notwithstanding
been set up a system of examinations to
Mr. KILDAY. I thought he was talk-
any provisions of this act, no person shall
be given to persons in colleges, and on
ing about the university now.
have his induction postponed or deferred by
the basis of that examination they are
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. Mr. Chair-
reason of his activity in study. research. or
going to be retained in college or they
man, will the gentleman yield further?
medical, dental, optometric, osteopathic, chi-
ropractic, scientific, or other endeavors found
are going to be sent into the Armed
Mr. KILDAY. I yield.
to be necessary to the maintenance of the
Forces.
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. Did you
national health. safety, or interest as the
Mr. ROGERS of Florida. Mr. Chair-
make any study as to the length of time
result of, or on the basis of, any test, exami-
man, will the gentleman yield?
it would require to train men and pre-
nation, selection system, or any other means
Mr. KILDAY. Yes; I yield briefly.
pare them for combat? You have pro-
conducted, sponsored, administered, or pre-
Mr. ROGERS of Florida. Did the
vided in the bill that they should not go
pared by any agency or department of the
committee take into consideration how
into combat for a period of 6 months.
Federal Government or any private institu-
the number of students to these various
tion, corporation, association, partnership. or
Mr. KILDAY. That is right.
individual employed by any agency or depart-
junior colleges and universities would
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. Is the
ment of the Federal Government."
be affected by this program? How many
committee of the opinion that that is
junior colleges would have to go out of
sufficient time in which to train them?
Mr. COX. Mr. Chairman, will the
business?
Mr. KILDAY. I never knew an Army
gentleman yield?
Mr. KILDAY. There is where my 18½
commander who felt that a man ever had
Mr. KILDAY. I yield to the gentle-
comes in. As the gentleman from North
enough training. Every one of them was
man from Georgia.
Carolina [Mr. BARDEN] said, the average
always training, training, training his
Mr. COX. The gentleman, in my
age for admission to the freshman year
men.
judgment, strengthens his bill very ma-
in college is lower than the average
Mr. ROGERS of Colorado. But we do
terially by inserting that amendment in
provide that at the conclusion of 6
the bill; however, they should not have
for graduation from high school. Oddly
enough, that is the fact. It runs some-
months' training period they could be
made necessary the offering of the
sent out of the United States.
amendment. This announcement should
thing around 18 years in graduating
never have been made.
from high school and it runs somewhere
Mr. KILDAY. We were sending them
Mr. KILDAY. They should not have
between 17 years and 1 month and 17
with less training than that, but we have
years and 4 months in the freshman
increased it by 2 months as a margin
made necessary many things in the last
10 days.
year in college. That is a fact. Prob-
of safety.
Mr. COX. It should not have been
ably the boys who acquire education
Now I want to go back to the question
made because in the future there might
easier in the high school go into college
that was raised yesterday about the an-
be justification for making some defer-
younger. I suppose I have seen every
nouncement made on yesterday or Sun-
ments.
college president of the United States
day, at least, within the last few days,
within the last 90 days; some of them
Mr. KILDAY. Let me explain the
that men now in college may have the
amendment. The amendment leaves
in committees. some of them by repre-
right to apply for an examination and
the law as it at present stands.
sentatives and what not. All that I
on the basis of that examination it would
Mr. COX. That is all right.
have talked to agree that at 18½ the
be determined by the Selective Service
Mr. KILDAY. The boy in college will
average college student will be able to
System-the papers to be graded by
be deferred on the basis of the subject
complete his sophomore year, and that
somebody; I do not know whom-and if
he is taking just as it has been ever since
will take care of your junior colleges
they received a score of 70, they would
completely.
1948 act was adopted, just as it always
be deferred. It is, of course, contem-
has been under the 1940 act; and the
Mr. ROGERS of Florida. Could the
plated, as the bill requires, that one de-
law will remain exactly the same as it is.
program be worked so as to utilize the
ferred for that purpose must eventually
Our educational system will be free from
facilities, the buildings, the plants of the
do his service, and it could take him up
selection or domination by an agency of
junior colleges, and of the universities so
until the time he was 35 years of age.
the Federal Government. Whether a
that they would not have to close them
The objection has been made to this
boy goes to college will depend on the
down?
announced program that it prefers the
ability of the parents to send him, as