Calling All Fathers

As usual, the newest draft announcements were badly timed, and confused the headline readers. But the facts were clear:

> Beginning Oct. 1, fathers of pre-Pearl Harbor children will be subject to draft call.

> The Selective Service Bureau will shift state and local quotas in an attempt to induct all available non-fathers, wherever they may reside, before drafting of fathers begins. (But non-fathers with occupational deferments will not be taken.)

> By year's end, about 300,000 of the nation's pre-Pearl Harbor fathers of military age will be drafted.

The reason for the new call, put off as long as possible, was also clear. The nation faced a new manpower crisis (see below). Said War Manpower Commissioner Paul McNutt: "I must make available additional sources of military manpower or be responsible for a serious crisis in war-production industries by the withdrawal of thousands of men whose occupational deferment is absolutely essential. . . ."

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