The Daily Alaska Empire

GREATER ARMED FORCES LOOMING BY END OF YEAR
Services May Comprise 15,000,000 Men-New Draft Statement

WASHINGTON, March 10—One Senate committee today heard testimony that the Nation's armed services will comprise 15,000,000 men instead of 11,000,000 men by the end of the year, while another released testimony that says all 3-A draft registrants may be inducted by mid-summer.

The 15,000,000 figure came from Senator Sheridan Downey of California during testimony on the Austin-Wadsworth bill to mobilize men and women civilians for industrial and agricultural productions.

Senator Downey asserted that unless some such legislation is enacted, the American armament goals could not be attained. He told the committee "while there is talk about 11,000,000 men in the armed forces by next January, the figure is closer to 15,000,000." He said he was authorized to make the statement but did not say by whom.

Meanwhile the Appropriations subcommittee made public testimony that Charles Taft, Assistant Director of the Office of Defense, Health and Welfare Services, that "I am convinced from what Selective Service people have told me they are going to get all 3-As by the middle of this summer."

3-A classification is one given to men with dependents.

Taft made the statement on March 4 testifying in favor of a $2,973,000,000 fund, later approved by the full committee, to make grants to take care of children of employed mothers.