Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 10, Number 47, DeMotte, Jasper County, 10 October 1940 — WASHINGTON WEEK [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON WEEK

WASHINGTON.—Reports coming in from all parts of the country indicate the,strong possibility that the first quota of 400.000 men to be mustered into the army by January 1, 1941, will be filled by volunteers, without resort to the nationwide draft. This comes as a surprise to some of the draft officials, but old-tim-ers point to the huge enlistment figures prior to the enactment of conscription during the World war. Until October 16, prospective

doughboys must enlist under regular army regulations—that is, for a three-year period. After that date, under' terms of the Burke-Wads-worth conscription act, the army will accept volunteers for the oneyear enlistment period. Many applications for one-year enlistment have already been received and have been deferred until after “registration day.” Scattered figures give rise to the opinion that the enlistments after October 16 will show a rate of 62 men to each conscription district, which would fill the required quota. Official sources have not commented on the reasons for this trend but it appeal's to be a healthy situation. Men who join the army of their own free will should make better soldiers. While it is argued by some commentators that many of the young men planning to enlist are doing so merely to avoid waiting two or three years before their number turns up in the draft, nevertheless their attitude will be better for they have joined the ranks on a decision made by themselves, and have not been actually “forced” or drafted. * * • Will over-confidence defeat the Democratic ticket in November? That is a question being rather freely tossed around the nation’s capital city by political observers these days. Administration leaders here seem to be very confident that the race is as good as over; that their man is “in.” But many experienced observers, while admitting that the President has shown real strength in the various polls, are inclined to point out that election day is still some time away. Major factors that might give the Democrats a real jolt, say these observers, are (1) the third term issue and (2) the “huge independent vote.” They point out that the first factor—the third term issue—hasn’t been given a real airing by the Republicans. While the President has been the object of numerous potshots for his precedent-making decision, it han’t been the shining light in the Willkie “crusade” that many people were sure it would be. It may be that Republicans are saving this vital and highly inflammable issue for their final drive down the stretch.

The second factor—the independent vote—is equally important in forecasting the results of the election. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats can “claim” it until the ballots are counted. Roosevelt backers know it was this vote which elected the President in 1936 and feel sure he will hold it again in November. Republicans, of course, feel that Wendell Willkie has captured the imaginations of this great bloc of independents and when the imagination is captured, they argue, the ballot is so marked. * * * Small towns throughout the nation have an important stake in current defense plans, judging from the information issuing from the offices of the Civil Aeronautics authority here in Washington. This is the story: It is quite generally conceded that one of the major weaknesses in the nation’s defense system is the lacking of airports equipped to handle large bombers. And in any plan to strengthen this nation’s defense these airports must in some way be provided. The CAA is attempting to work out a program whereby this can be brought about and at the same time commercial aviation can be given a real boost. This would mean a network of airports reaching to every section of the nation, all able to handle the largest of U S. army bombers. Thus these same airports could also accommodate the large commercial airliners. Commercial aviation would be given its needed impetus in many now “remote” sections, and the defense of the nation would be strengthened. • • * Selective service officials in Washington have announced that plans call for the employment of about a million persons to serve without pay in carrying out provisions of the conscription act. These unpaid workers will consist of various local draft boards, their medical, legal and business advisers and other administrative aids. • * * Some idea of how the nation feels about material aid to Great Britain, or at least how the administration in Washington thinks the nation feels, might be gleaned from Senate Majority Leader Alben Barkley s reply to Senator Lodge's request for a full debate on the recent transfer of the 50 over-age destroyers to England. In effect, the Democratic leader asserted that there was no use taking up the senate’s time to debate a “fait accompli” and one which the whole public approves.