Inside Report (6)

Good economic times could renew talk of a military draft. The current slowdown in the US economy has made it easier for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to recruit personnel. Even the Army, which has the toughest time getting manpower, now is doing reasonably well with the volunteer system. Hard times in major industries, like autos, have made a steady military paycheck look better than usual to young Americans.

Top Pentagon brass, however, say when the economy turns up, recruiting is certain to turn sharply down. That's when they predict a draft will be essential to keep the m ilitary up to strength.m