Draft Law Passes House Vote, Now On Truman Desk

Except for the President's signature, a new draft bill became law Thursday when the House passed the selective service extension by an overwhelming vote of 339 to 41. Truman is expected to sign it without delay.

Probably the most significant item in the new act is a provision for machinery to set up a Universal Military Training program. The bill calls for a five-man commission which, subject to the approval of Congress, will make plans to induct all youths for a period of training upon reaching the age of 18.

The most controversial feature of the long debated draft legislation was the lowering of the induction age from 19 to 18 1/2. The military services had asked for 18 and Congress wrangled all through the spring over the issue.

As the bill now stands, it is a compromise of the bills drawn up in the House and Senate earlier this year. The senate passed the current bill by voice vote last week. But for the new four year extension, the present draft law would have expired July 9.

No 18 1/2 year olds will be called, according to the new law, until the 19-26 year old market has been plucked clean. Other pertinent provisions include: 1) Extension of period of service to 24 months. 2) Physical standards cut to those of 1945 and mental standards out slightly. 3) A ceiling of 5,000,000 on the overall strength of the armed forces. 4) Permits reservists and retired personnel to be recalled to active duty.