Byline; Draft, The: Its Directors, Its Dodgers

When. The draft gets directors from the armed forces examining an action station at the Boston Army base in the background you can hear specialist Fourth Class Richard nefesh young men about to have their pre-draft physical examination. Some 300 young men from eastern Massachusetts through the system here. This number compares with average of about 150 only last year before the Vietnam build up. The men are summoned for this exam by the local draft board. Many of those who pass it will be drafted within weeks. For this reason there has been a recent marked increase in enlistment simply as a means of beating the draft.

Marine Captain Myron Kandel is the officer in charge of the examining center. Well the number who are actually inducted Now that is as of October of this year has about doubled since June this year based on the figures for the month of October the percentage rejected for medical reasons is around 33 percent and the percentage for rejection is about 16 percent. So is it fair to say that about 50 percent are after the examination here are still eligible for the draft. That's the approximate percentage nationally as well as you're right. Have you noticed personally any increased resentment among those being examined due to the activities of some of the student and pacifist groups around the country recently.

Not really in fact it surprises me that I haven't seen more of Captain Cantor's assessment is supported by some of those going through the draft examination on this mid November morning. So you think I think he's going to be in. Well. It's all right I mean if you want you don't want to I really obligation to go guys are older. They fought and died for this. What do you got to want to go. Of course the activity at the Boston Army base is just one aspect of what has become a major issue nationwide. The draft issue has been dormant for almost a decade after the Korean War. The draft call was gradually cut to the extent that several years ago proposals to eliminate it altogether began to circulate suddenly because of the military build up. The draft is once again in the minds of the nation's young men and in the headlines of our newspapers

once more the draft right is of real significance. It must be Kerry it must not be burnt. Opponents of the draft have renewed a campaign of protest. At times peaceful when rational at times and violent. But the fact remains that the US Army needs men and conscription is being used several times before in our history to provide them general director of the United States so what day of service was in Boston last week and painted a picture of the build up of the draft nationwide. And if they don't like you know you lie a lot. Try running on a on a basis of the year. Go over that I want to pay then double the call I figure that Babbage Sept 35 40 down somewhere along there. Well I want to fight with the crew died you know to talk about. Then they reduced it to 48 hours which rude smart but not quite as dumb as I was going to 45 I'm still stickin

somewhere in the middle. Our late 30s on the left unless we have something unusual happen now. The possibilities and we had to be ready for this like the service system are almost limitless but the probability if the thing should escalate I mean that's a good word I don't know what it means. It always sounds to me a little profound. I. Think. In the end of course I have been better off and I am not going to be a prophet and I'm sorry but I am trying to assume that we're going to whack away for the next several years over there about the way we're whacking away now and therefore it's going to be a question of first build up and then maintain and I don't think we're too far off. We might go up to 50000 but I have inducted 450000 a month. No I don't like giving between 40 and 50 and some people do. What do these national figures mean locally. John Wright State Director of selective service details the draft situation in Massachusetts.

Well the actual figures where we were. Just from Massachusetts taking one hundred and fifty men of warre in March of this year will be taking over a thousand men in December. The increase started in July. We felt the impact before the Vietnam build up as a result of the lowering of enlistments in the first six months of the year. That came about because during the presidential campaign that was talk about doing away with Selective Service. Needless to say this did not help the response. Will the increase in the draft call has come a concomitant increase enlistments the reason is obvious as state director car indicates. We have found that through the years the graph of increased selective service calls and the graph of analyst moves are like me in my shadow. They follow the same peaks and

lows. The simple fact is that many young men with a feely breadth of selective service breathing on their necks see the duty clear as the Jets general the she has put it as the gap has increased so has the opposition to it. The student population. A group directly affected has been the center of the protest. Many have fought the system with demonstrations petitions and picketing. Others in support of the administration have picketed the picketers. A leading voice in the student opposition to the draft has been a fledgling left wing organization headquartered in Chicago called Students for a democratic society. STF for short. Their attitude was expressed by a questioner chairman of the Harvard-Radcliffe STDs numbering about 100 as the SS position which is my position is primarily concerned with the war in Vietnam and in regard to the draft. Our proposals and our feelings regarding the draft are primarily concerned

with the war in Vietnam. That is we have moral and political objections to this war and would not be willing to fight in it. Just how to deal with the problem of not fighting it. This is an individual question not just students but older citizens no longer personally affected by the draft have shown an opposition to it. One such local group is known as Pax standing for Massachusetts political action for peace a band of influential elders seeking to end the arms race and establish a more humane American foreign policy. Director of the organization for pax J Robert Hanssen a former corage human is questioned about their stand on selective service when U.S. taxes attitude towards the present Selective Service System. Well we have released no official statements but as a member of the Steering Committee I can paraphrase the consensus of the feeling

you need that the Selective Service System is inequitable because it draws from those who do not have the economic and educational advantages. These are the young men who are taken because they have no basis upon which to ask for deferment. You know they are not in college you are not getting technical training. However they are not aware of the. Positions within the law which give them alternatives to actual military service. We feel that this makes the Selective Service System One of discrimination against those. As I say who are either of the poorer classes or who for reasons beyond their control have not been able to get into a college. Why would sophomore ever question or there was student himself is in agreement with Hansen as it stands now. The Selective Service Act is undemocratic in the way it is operated in that students get deferments for instance and people

who are not students may not not be students because of because of their own choosing but because they don't have the money or they don't have the background that they weren't given the kind of education they should be getting in Boston schools for instance so they don't go on and they get drafted where students get very. This is this is not fair for students to be different and I think that people who are being drafted and don't like it have a valid valid great fear. There is no question that the grapes are there but there is a question of just how ripe the protest movement is and just how violent it might become. Massachusetts director of the draft John Carter reports that some of those who are opposing it in this extreme fashion which I mentioned. Extremely miniscule very small fraction of 1 percent. As I have indicated in the past with over 8 other than 60000 registrants of messages we only have five men whose conduct has been sufficiently

extravagant that they are under indictment. Kind of assessment of the scope of the protest is supported by Robert Hanson of Pax. At this juncture in the protest against a war. I think that dissension probably is by and large reserved to the articulate but small number of students across the country who have reasons for opposing the more politically morally or legally. But if the size of the protest is small it's methods and manifestations are not. Witness the stir caused by a few people burning their draft cards. Aside from this being a violation of a federal law. Opponents of the draft consider it a most dramatic and in fact legitimate means of social protest. Listen to David Reed a sophomore at Harvard who was a member of Students for a democratic society. Well I've participated in many of the recent demonstrations. As far as the burning draft cards is concerned. I think that it's a legitimate method of

protest. I really object to the severe penalty that the government has imposed on draft betting which probably violates the section of the Constitution against cruel and unusual punishments. Five years in jail for burning a piece of paper packs director of the organization Hansen echoes the thoughts of Reid on the legitimacy of draft card burning. The young person looks upon the draft and his opposition to the draft as the only viable political means open to him to protest what he thinks is an unjust and inhumane war. He cannot vote by a large unless of course he's 21 and registered. The people who were involved in the student protest movement have I believe examined and used every channel open to them to make their voice protest heard. This voice has been unheard or rejected until such time as they were able to devise the draft. A question has a

focus. Oh. For example as an adult I feel that burning one's draft card is politically counterproductive and alienating the great middle ground of voters who don't understand the why's and wherefore's. It really doesn't accomplish anything because after all the possession of a draft card is not in any way don't change your status with the Selective Service System. And on top of that because there is so much confusion as to what this means we just feel it's not very productive. However by the same token I and I think Pax people as well. I feel that the individual student has every right if their conscience dictates that they should do is to destroy the draft card as a means of protest. And as I say it's one of the very few avenues of protest left open despite the frustrations of the opposition movement. It should not be overlooked that the directors of the Selective Service have some sympathy with those affected. John O'Connor Massachusetts director of the draft.

You've got to understand that with a war over 9000 conflicts that we say over 9000 miles away it's understandable that a lot of young men don't feel too close to it. And we find the percentage of students who object with a very small group but we don't find too many one of those yes to find themselves involved in it either. And that's understandable of course. Inherent in the Selective Service System is one whereby the sincere religious objector can avoid the draft. This loophole carries the auspicious title of conscientious objection. State Director Carr outlines this feature of the law. Yeah two or three types of conscientious objector. You have one young man who objects to serving in the armed forces he objects to any position where he might be called upon to shoot to kill another human being. And you have some object just to this particular.

Conflict Vietnam conflict and that of course we have some old object to serving under arms in any fashion. Even in a branch of the service where they would not be called upon to bear arms against their fellow man and I want to make clear that we have no feeling against these young people of those sincere feelings. Robert Hanson of Pax strongly supports the legitimacy of conscientious objection. This is one of the few options remaining to people who protest the war either for moral political or legal reasons. And as long as the law allows conscientious objection because of the commitment of conscious conscience I think this is this is a valid way in which to raise protest. I've heard a number of young people and we have them in our office all the time saying that they are by no means unwilling to serve their country. They would be willing to die for their country but they will not kill for it. So conscious objection seems to be their only alternative.

U.S. director of selective service general Louis Roshi warns about abusing the privilege. Now there are should be for the present time again. Do you know how did it get you. But we've never had more than I think we had one time 11000 in camps. And when you have 11000 out of 40 million records you haven't got very much of a percentage and the Congress has had a sensitivity to religion which I think is headed carrying the country and therefore I think the religious objectors don't want to have some consideration now that would depend on how much pseudo religious people raise ned to the face it's embodied. They think they can tell them apart and wipe it all out because they don't want to get so many hangers on and I say this in friendship because a real conscientious objector is very disturbed about the pseudo because he has something he government has been pretty good and he certainly doesn't want to lose it if I were somebody who wanted to get a job to do shit for military service.

I would want to call some of these people off the people that are destroying the change limo. I think people are acting rather like juvenile. I didn't say the language you just said. There's little question that conscientious objection has a place in a draft war. It is not legal out which is used sincerely by a limited number. But others have sought out illegal and unethical means of avoiding the draft. Feigning alcoholism sleepwalking homosexuality and physical defects. These are some of the gambits probably what used butt grabbing many headlines. This is considered dirty pool by a large proportion of the protest movement. I would man David Reed a staunch opponent of the draft. Well I think if someone intends to avoid the draft you can do it in an honest way by family as a conscientious objector or by merely stating his refusal to fight under any circumstances. I don't go along with

pretending drunkenness or homosexuality are physical defects and I wanted to avoid the draft. Robert Hanssen is questioned about Pakistan on illegal trafficking of Asian just packs condemn or condone the various schools that are springing up around the country to teach teach students how to avoid the draft and I would of course condemn that procedure. There are no. Ways in which. The whole system for all its inequities can be protested legally and by the very fact of filing the form 150 either on religious or a religious grounds not religious time certainly on humane grounds. Missed this is an option and it's one that ought to be used if if the student or if the young person has a. Genuine objection but breaking the law something else we have never been in favor of any kind of abrogation or breaking of the law.

So we would condemn any approach. Which suggest that you can build a democratic society by violating the laws upon which a democratic society is based. Thus it is clear that many of those opposed to the draft are similarly opposed to breaking laws in order to avoid it. But I mean it's not the same people who support the illegal action of draft could burning again. Paxman and Hansen explaining this apparent contradiction. There are a great number of. Very prominent people in the law in this country who do not feel the burning draft cards. He's a violation of the laws on the books but our laws have been on the books which have been later rescinded because they were unconstitutional and it's my feeling from what I've read that burning draft cards though it is presently illegal because of a recent act of Congress nonetheless is in opposition to. The free expression guaranteed by the First Amendment. Until such time as this particular

legislation is question in the courts it is a question legal to burn the draft rights but let me be quick to add that the people who bring the draft cards are not trying to evade whatever may come because of the violation of law they are perfectly willing to be imprisoned or to pay their final whatever the judge in question shall determine as a method as the method of punishment. So it is like civil disobedience. You know the law exists it's recognized as being the law of the land but it's thought to be unjust. Therefore its violation carries with it the understanding that there will be some sort of a punishment so that this fine young Mr. Miller who got national attention for burning his draft card. In a prepared statement prior to the act indicated he was perfectly willing to suffer the consequences for this act but he felt constrained by conscience to do this because of the immorality of the war. Hansen's point that trap. And I'm not trying to evade the war but merely trying to dramatize their protests to it is well taken. Many of the most serious

protesters are perfectly willing to take the rap that comes with it. Privates often want to have agreed education point. I have informed my local draft board that if I'm drafted I plan to refuse to serve it. Well I object to the use to which I would be put as a soldier. I've checked to fighting against the enemies people or supporting military actions against the Americans against the Cubans which is what I might expect for the armed forces. You'd be there by willing to take whatever. Tell me is it supposed to blind you if you get drafted. You used to appear. Well I don't look forward to going to jail but if that's necessary I will accept it. I wouldn't would not under any circumstances serve in the armed forces of this country at this time. And if we have 20 years in jail for that that's what I think. But Ridge willingness to take his rap is not what really matters to General Lewis Hershey us director of selective service. He is concerned about the larger ramifications of

such actions. Between breaking up. Right. Many. Of us will. Know in fact that I am not learned enough from the law to be able to discriminate between the breaking the law and that's one of the reasons why that I cannot in my own conscience tolerate a person who chooses the laws don't obey I don't have to belong to that school in the first place I think it's no different than when you violate the law and then when you violate the law and get defiant about I may be more correct. I doubt that's the word I think you did poorly advised. I personally as an American a little ashamed of the country then as fortunate as we are and have the things we got and yet have not been able to demonstrate that we had quite the same enemy. To run a business and I don't think we are running it. I'm not discouraged but on the other hand you know we didn't want to do any of those things to

make you wonder how many more he had like in the first place and then you get to wondering whether or not somebody will probably publicize it overseas and I have not too much to do but I think in three wars that I could have been avoided if we had given the reputation of being we might see some of our shortcomings and not the story is fairly simple. You know I mean man and the draft is being used to get them to protest to the system and to the world. Being raised in mostly illegal but occasionally illegal ways listening carefully to the verbal skirmish between proponents and opponents of the draft is the U.S. Congress. The present war runs out in 1967 when it will be up for cancellation renewal or possible amendment. Many of the opponents of the draft propose major changes to the present well. Oh well I'm for an alternate kind of general

service to the country not just military service. Director of organization for pax Robert Hanssen is a good spokesman of this thinking. I think that conscientious students certainly members of our organization. I would wholeheartedly recommend a revision of the law to include mandatory service by young people to their country. The thing that we are so distressed about is the fact at the present time this is interpreted to mean that service has to be of a military nature so that town as the National Students for a democratic society States we would like to see a revision of the law which would allow for service to the country through a vest or other Commonwealth Service Corps or the Peace Corps or any of the various programs within the poverty program. And most a majority I'm sure of those students who are now actively protesting the war do so under humane grounds and are not willing to whip those who work for the STF for $12 a week which is a very

small sum in comparison to what Peace Corps people get or for Vista people here in this country. These these young people are willing to work for their country. 50 60 70 hours a week for the most minimal kind of wage because they are committed to the country they are committed to democratic procedures. They are committed to a really humane domestic and foreign policy and this is not you know this is not just youthful exuberance this is rational reflection upon the facts. The possibility of some kind of major change in the system as envisioned by Hansen is not dismissed by state director John Carr but he is realistic too about the importance of military manpower and the feelings of the Congress. But what the Congress will do of course is you know guess as well as mine and yours just as good as mine. We all know we do believe. The Congress has been convinced that we cannot. Operate with as large a force as we apparently need without selective service. They can't do it right. Voluntary

investment whether or not they will change the method of doing it by selective service. I can't say general the US version is more explicit about the problems of revising the system I think that we ought to continue to review the Selective Service System or any other governmental agency. But not because some few misguided people had demonstrated in a way a little bit different and had gotten published it had to be paid for. They could not begin do you see any proposals aside student pacifist groups 1960s. The sort of services the change to service a country you know which are all. Things like if you were well through quite a lot of that not only for the guard but all sorts of things because one of the things you always have to worry about in a very calm again. Did you try to put our manpower where we wanted to now. We went through the Peace Corps bit is not planning down the Peace Corps you remember the campaign of 16 there was one little said in that campaign about having

people to service it wouldn't have been possible to begin to get an appropriation for the beak or in the Congress unless they were written in the law and only something that said they didn't get. A substitution. But absolutely prohibited it and until the Congress get the different frame of mind they're in now I don't mean shall I tell you why one of them. Why not. Because she's question is pertinent to the future of disruptive service system. It is under attack from many quarters but there is little doubt that with the current world situation and the military commitments of our nation we need men in our armed forces or rather those who volunteer. In short the draft is quite necessary. And being this it's directors like state director Carr. I quit to defend it. As to selective service being 100 percent sure it of course it isn't

any more than anything else in a democratic society is just the best way we've found to do it that's all. And General Hershey in slightly more philosophical terms. Even the limited part of our democratic society and endured a pretty good you were the pretty you know it is nice. And we welcome the obligation of trying to be facetious. You're going to have to live in a society you got to be in the words of George Washington right. You know order to have peace you must have the world know what I want to emphasize I know that you are on time ready for war and show me anything that you would a human being that got to the place that they would get is not my but they want rather than fight. So it is probably safe to say that there will be draftees in the future just as in the past who will remember the first day of boot camp and the rude awakening of. The records. Produced for WGBH at ground by Crocker show.

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