H.R. 6293

The last section of the Congressional Record for December 30, 1941 included a list of public bills and resolutions introduced to the House of Representatives: 

“By Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts: H. R. 6293. A bill to establish a. Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps for service with the Army of the United States; to the Committee on Military Affairs.”

7 months and 2 days after introducing HR 4906, Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers reintroduced the WAAC Bill as HR 6293. The new bill overlapped significantly with its failed predecessor. Minor textual changes were made from HR 4906 to HR 6293, with exception to the following:

• the limit of the total number of members of the corps was eliminated (this would later be amended)
• caps on the number of officers were removed
• the limit of Treasury appropriations (the cost of enacting the WAAC Bill) was eliminated
• specific policies on leave, duty assignments, and promotions were eliminated. 

The WAAC Bill also changed two existing acts- The National Defense Act was amended to include the unlawful wear of WAAC uniforms; and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940 was expanded to include members of the WAAC as “persons in military service.”

The Committee on Military Affairs, energized by the national emergency following the declarations of war , got right to work on the bill. 

The United Press reported on the new bill, and papers like the St. Louis Star and Times printed articles the same day as HR 6293 was submitted. 

Bill Being Drafted For Volunteer Women s Army Auxiliary Corps 

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. (U.P.) 

Representative Edith Nourse Rogers. Massachusetts, Republican, today drafted new legislation to set up a Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps of unlimited size to take over some non-combatant duties now performed by enlisted men and civilian volunteers. 

Under the bill, women from 21 to 45 who are physically and morally fit would be permitted to volunteer for duration of the war. They would serve in professional capacities, in the air raid warning service, in domestic work for the army, and as chauffeurs and mechanics. 

Mrs. Rogers drew up a bill early this year to establish the W.A.A.C, and putting a limit of 25,000 on the number of women permitted to serve. In a report on the legislation, however. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson urged that the limitation be removed because the size of the corps should be “dependent upon military requirements and cannot be determined at the present time.” 

Stimson declared that “a similar force is being used in England and experience both in this war and during the World War has demonstrated that such an organization will provide a practical means for utilizing the service of women when they can be of great assistance in national defense.” 

Stimson said there Is no shortage of man power in this country now. 

“Nevertheless,” he declared, “there are a great many types of duty in corps area service and in the aircraft warning service for which women are better fitted than men, and the employment of women on such duty would increase efficiency and release men for more intensive work or combat service.” 

Stimson said the W. A. A. C, which would be under direct supervision of the War Department, would be particularly valuable in the air raid warning service, be cause “the voluntary service of women operators has been satisfactory except for attendance, over which military authorities now exercise no control.” 

Women volunteering for the corps would be subject to army discipline and would undergo special training. 

Stimson cited the following service possibilities of the W.A.A.C: Clerks, machine operators, cooks and bakers, stewardesses, telephone and telegraph operators, pharmacists, [dietitians], hygienists, hospital laboratory technicians. hostesses, librarians, theater [employees]. welfare workers, post exchange and laundry workers. 

All members of the corps would be paid on a scale roughly equivalent to that of the army. The W.A.A.C. would be headed by a director under the office of the chief of staff of the army, and would have its own officers. Enlisted personnel would be permitted to work toward officer status through additional training.