Thanks, but No Thanks

The draft may not be used to stifle dissent. So ruled the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit four weeks ago. But, added Judge Harold Medina, it is still a crime to evade the draft. And the Viet Nam war, in addition to provoking peacenik protesters, has also increased the number of plain draft dodgers. In 1964, 144 men were jailed on draft-dodging charges for an average of 21 months. Last year the number jumped to 266, and the average sentence was 26 months.

By executive order, President Johnson has now granted the draft dodgers a second chance. Instead of serving out their prison sentences, they may choose to be paroled into the armed forces. A similar order went into effect in 1941 and, as a result, nearly 1,500 draft dodgers served in World War II--many with distinction.* However, the reaction to this alternative today seems to be "Thanks, but no thanks." By last week, a month after the order had been issued, only one man had asked to take advantage of it.

* Many convicts serving terms for routine crimes were also paroled into World War II armed forces, where they amassed impressive records. Many of today's prisoners have been anxious for a similar chance to fight in Viet Nam, but the Defense Department so far has not needed them.

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