Physicists and Military Mobilization

The Selective Service System, at this writing, is calling up 50,000 men per month. This rate may be raised. Specific regulations for occupational deferments and for the cases of students in advanced fields of learning have not yet been issued. The Selective Service Act of 1948, now operative, states in its preamble the intent of the Congress that “adequate provision for national security requires maximum effort in the fields of scientific research and development, and the fullest possible utilization of the Nation’s technological, scientific, and other critical manpower resources”. To implement this intent, Sec. 6(h) says “The President is authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to provide for the deferment…of any or all categories of persons whose employment in industry, agriculture,…, or whose activity in study, research, or medical, scientific, or other endeavors is found to be necessary to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest”.

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