University of Virginia Library

Two-Year Draft Extension
Meets Opposition In Congress

By Mark Schapiro
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

A high noon showdown on draft
extension is rapidly approaching in the
U.S. Congress, where the Senate has
completed hearings and is readying a bill
for the floor which is expected to be
reported by mid-March. The House is
only a week behind the Senate in
schedule.

Although the outlines of the
Committee bills have not yet been
defined, it is likely the end result will be a
call for a two-year extension of the President's
authority to induct young men into the armed
forces. Hence the fight for draft repeal will have
to occur on the floor of Congress.

Committee action will also act on the Nixon
Administration's recommendation to end
deferments for college and divinity school
students.

Large Turnout Vital

Due to the rapidly approaching floor battles
a large turnout has been deemed vital for the
Emergency Convocation to Repeal the Draft,
scheduled for March 17, from 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in
Washington D.C. Organized by the National
Council to Repeal the Draft and "Wednesdays
in Washington to End the Draft in 1971," the
purpose of the Emergency Convocation is to
organize Congressional visits to inform
members of Congress of citizen opposition to
the draft.

Beginning this Wednesday and continuing
until final Congressional action on the draft,
lobbying assistance will be available before one
calls on his Senators and Representatives. A
legislative briefing will be held every
Wednesday, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the
Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Avenue,
N.E. in Washington, D.C.

This year provides the best chance in 20
years to prevent extension of the President's
authority to induct young men. Not only have
public polls shown a majority favor a volunteer
army, but the Administration has asked for a
two-year extension rather than the usual
four-year extension. Support has been lined up
among conservative and liberal members of
Congress for the Gates Commission proposal
for a volunteer army.

Complete Abolition

In a historic first, five Senators have called
for a complete abolition of the Selective Service
System on December 31, 1971.

What remains is the key question. When will
it happen? The Administration says the draft
should be extended until July 1, 1973.
However, according to Representative Bella
Abzug of New York, this "means in all
probability never to take action."

Reasons for the opposition to the draft are
varied. Some see conscription as undemocratic
and immoral, as opposed to America's historical
traditions, as unfair to the nation's youth.
Others feel that draft repeal is one of the few
effective ways to reassert Congressional control
over war-making that there is no possible
way to reform an inherently unequal system.

Support has also been gathered for a one
year extension by those favoring a compromise
or a Gates Commission transition period. Such
an extension would terminate in the midst of
preparation for the 1972 Presidential elections,
a good time in the view of draft opponents.