How the Winds Blow

ARMY & NAVY

Legislators began to choose sides over one of the hottest domestic issues confronting the 79th Congress. President Roosevelt had come out flatly for postwar compulsory military training. Now it was up to Congress.

Congressmen moved gingerly. A bare majority was reported to be in favor, but few of them were ready to commit themselves until they knew definitely how the public winds blew. Public opinion showed that most U.S. citizens were in favor of such an act. The Gallup poll showed 63% answering Yes; an Iowa poll (sponsored by the Des Moines Sunday Register), 71%; the FORTUNE poll, 69%; the National Opinion Research Center poll, 79%.

But Congressmen knew that when it came to a showdown, citizens would look twice at legislation which--by compelling American youth to train for war in times of peace--threw overboard one of the nation's oldest, most cherished traditions. Congressmen tried to look beyond polls. They listened for the words of opponents of the act, who might be in the minority but were already well organized and articulate (see EDUCATION).

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