UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING

Col. Fitzpatrick -- scholar, educator and soldier -- helped prepare the program for Selective Service and is at present serving on Gen. Hershey's staff -- so is admirably equipped to present this thoroughly comprehensive study of all phases of one of the vital problems the country is facing -- the extension of universal military training into postwar period. He marshalls the arguments pro and con; he lists individuals and organizations on both sides and quotes liberally from educators and churchmen who are opposed and balances that with those who favor universal military training for eighteen year youths. He approaches the question from the historical angle, presenting the opinions voiced by such leaders as Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson and Daniel Webster. But in final analysis, his own argument goes back to fundamentals -- is universal military training necessary for adequate defense for the country? Educational values -- or the reverse -- social values -- all are secondary to this angle. He favors appropriate legislation -- now -- and has worked out in detail a program of implementing such legislation. No matter what one's personal opinion, a book such as this gives the necessary background for intelligent approach to a question we must face.