Education: Draft in the Colleges

Last week Columbia University's money-minded President Nicholas Murray Butler blurted a worry. "War conditions," he told newsmen on his 79th birthday, had already cost his university "several hundred thousand dollars" in tuition fees. Butler and his fellow presidents knew that worse was yet to come.

When Congress passed the Selective Service Act last fall, it gave colleges a reprieve by deferring conscription of students until July 1. After that, unless Congress amends the Act, students may be called from their classes at any time. Best guesstimate last week was that 10 to 15% of the 883,594 U.S. college men would be called...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!