Dept. of Defense Wants Additional Draft Extension

The Eisenhower administration disclosed yesterday that it will ask for extension of the draft law beyond its June 30, 1955 expiration date.

John A. Hannah, Assistant Secretary of Defense, estimated that in 30 months the country will have exhausted its supply of men who can meet the current physical and mental standards for military service.

He continued that American defenses will remain "strong and alert" no matter how the international situation changes in the next few years. This also includes the possible ending of the Korean War.

Hannah added that the "hard and unpleasant" facts of the draft situation are a spur to the Defense Department, to find better ways of using the country's military manpower. Studies are under way toward this end, he said.

The administration will also ask to continue the drafting of medical officers beyond the June 30, 1954 deadline.

"Assuming first that the strength of our uniformed forces will be continued at or near the present strength of three and one-half million men and women, and second that the period of involuntary service remains at 24 months, we will continue to use manpower faster than the males in our population turn 181/2 years of age and become eligible to be drafted," Hannah said.

Charles E, Wilson, Secretary of Defense, indicated recently that every effort would be made to reduce the military's manpower requirements without endangering the national security. One aim is to level off the monthly draft quotas to a lower and more constant rate.