So Grave

Thousands of U.S. civilians now in "essential" jobs will be in uniform within the next few months.

Last week the President & Commander in Chief ordered a fast and hardboiled review of 5,000,000 occupational deferments. Because of past leniencies, the Commander in Chief's Selective Service was 200,000 short of its quota. As a result, the Army had to reduce its college training program (TIME, Feb. 28) and "emasculate" certain units, said the Commander in Chief. He said: "We are well-equipped in food and munitions, but production has drawn overheavily on our stock of manpower."

Aroused, he ordered Selective Service Boards to look hardest at men under 26. Out of a million non-fathers in industry, 380,000 are under 26. Out of a million non-fathers in agriculture, more than one-half are under 26.

Farm spokesmen warned: Unless draft boards ease up on agricultural workers, U.S. food production will suffer. Said the President: "We are well equipped in food and munitions but their production has drawn overheavily on our stock of manpower. It is time to strike a new balance. . . . The present situation is so grave. . . ."

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