U.M.T. Set-Up Cannot Begin Until The Fall

Congressional sources predicted yesterday that it will take at least until November to set Universal Military Training machinery into operation, even if the pending U.M.T. bill is passed immediately. Thus, under present plans for induction of 5,000 trainees per month no more than 10,000 18-year-olds could start training in 1952.

Armed Services Committee members said in an interview that the services can begin a U.M.T. program in addition to their other activities, but that it would be at least November before the first 5000 men could start their six months of training. Another 5,000 could follow this group in December.

Compulsory military training was endorsed in principle last year, but Congress has been unable to agree on specific details of the program. Present plans call for the induction on a voluntary basis of 60,000 18-year-olds per year. These inductees would receive six months of basic training and then spend seven and one half years in active or inactive reserve components.

Answereing opponents of U.M.T., the House Congressional Committee stated that the atomic bomb has made necessary the training of more men for military service and asserted that U.M.T. does not run counter to the early American tradition.