Reading Eagle (October 4, 1940)
STUDY DATES IN DRAFT CALL
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First Conscripts May Be Summoned to Camp November 14
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Washington, Oct. 4 (AP) –
Authoritative sources said today that November 14 was the earliest date now contemplated for induction into the Army of men drafted under the new compulsory military service law.
Indications were that the number called then would be comparatively small and some officials estimated that possibly fewer than 100,000 draftees would be in the service by January 1, compared with earlier estimates of 400,000.
Spokesmen for the Selective Service Committee asserted their machinery would be in readiness to begin furnishing men to the Army by November 14, but it was pointed out that because of the burdens imposed on the Army by mobilization of the National Guard and by the continued expansion of the Regular Army through voluntary enlistments, it would not have the facilities for more than 100,000 trainees before the first of the year. By the terms of the Conscription Act, the number of trainees inducted is limited by the availability of “adequate” housing and medical facilities.
Discussing the housing problem today, the War Department estimated that each of the tent camps now being constructed would include more than 4,500 tents and over 300 buildings. These will house National Guard units which are to be expanded to full strength by the induction of conscription trainees.
The wooden cantonments to be used by Regular Army and National Guard divisions training in the more severe climates will be composed of 316 barracks and several score other buildings.
The cantonment camps are expected to cost $8,000,000 each, compared with $5,000,000 for the tent camps.
Work already is in progress or is “being initiated,” the War Department reported, on 10 tent camps for National Guard divisions; seven cantonments for the Regular Army and six for guard divisions; one cantonment and four tent camps for anti-aircraft training centers, and on 13 recruit reception depots to cost $275,000 each.