The Pittsburgh Press (October 9, 1940)
Washington, Oct. 9 (AP) –
Informed Congressional sources said today the Wart Department plans to expand the Regular Army’s enlisted strength to possibly 500,000 men by continuing to accept three-year enlistments after the draft begins.
Authority for the expansion, which would be 25% above the present authorized limit of 400,000, is conferred by a provision in the final $1,482,693,363 defense appropriation which President Roosevelt signed yesterday.
It provided that a $280,174,562 fund for pay of the Army shall not be subject “to any limitation on the enlisted strength of the Army.”
The bill, last of the big defense measures expected this session, also carried the money for the forthcoming conscription program and for building up the overall Army strength of regulars, National Guards and conscription trainees to 1,400,000 by next July.