Conant Stresses U.M.S. Once More As Senate Meets

While the Senate debated amendments to the new draft bill in Washington, President Conant yesterday again emphasized the importance of Universal Military Service and giving the Defence Department a free hand in dealing with men in the 19-26 age bracket.

Conant told the CRIMSON that the draft act as it now stands has defects that might later lead to serious trouble in administration. He was referring particularly to the clause which makes it mandatory that the Defence Department take all "available" men in the 19-26 age group before inducting any 18 year olds. There is a question, he pointed out, as to what this means and how it might affect deferment policy in the future.

He also spoke against the provisions in the House version of the draft act still under consideration in committee. Conant disagreed with the sections that would up the minimum draft age to 181/2 and not allow deferment of some men for study in specialized fields. "I have become persuaded that, contrary to my original opinion, some men must be deferred," Conant stated.

In Washington, the Senate beat down an amendment proposed by Senator Wayne Morse (R-Ore.) to cut Air Force, Navy, and Marine minimum enlistments from four to three years. Morse accused these branches of the service of "stock-piling" manpower by "grabbing more men than they can absorb...or train properly."

In order to get the draft bill through in a hurry, the Senate may hold a session tonight, floor leaders stated. The most crucial debate is still to come; that on the drafting of 18 year olds.

During yesterday's debate, Chairman Graham A. Barden of the House Education Committee attacked President Conant and the Administration's proposed draft of 18-year-old men. Barden said that the proposal would wreck American education but that there are educators like Conant who head large colleges that "will be taken care of."

"I'll guarantee he'll get the first contract of $1,000,000 to train boys," Barden said.