Proposals For Modification Of Powers In Roosevelt Bill

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1941, Page 5

Proposals For Modification Of Powers In Roosevelt Bill

WASHINGTON, January 13. SUBSTANTIAL SENTIMENT APPEARS TO BE DEVELOPING IN FAVOUR OF IMPOSING LIMITATIONS UPON PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S BILL TO INCREASE AID TO BRITAIN.

The sentiment is crystallising slowly, but indications point to the possibility that those favouring modification and outright opponents together may muster sufficient votes to put in some restrictions.

Proposed Limitations,

The most discussed limitations are: (1) A limit of two years on the President's authority to provide materials and repair ships for the democracies. (2) Continuance of the law providing that the Army and Navy chiefs must certify that present equipment is nonessential to the defence of the United States before its transfer. (3) A ban on outright gifts of war materials under the “indirect benefit" clause. Senator Barkley and Mr John W. McCormack said the President would have power to dispose of new material as well as equipment already in the hands of the Army and Navy. Would Not be Public. The President would not be required to make public transactions involving the shipment of war materials to friendly nations. The clause authorising the President to supply a friendly Power with military information would, it was stated, enable the disclosure of details of the Navy’s secret bomb sight. The Bill does not authorise the use of American warships to deliver materials to war areas. Justified by Emergency. Supporters cf the Administration praise the Bill as justified by the world emergency. The chairman of the House Naval Committee (Mr Carl Vinson), who is investigating lags in defence production, said he would introduce legislation requiring industry to curtail commercial production where and when it was necessary to speed up armament. v He mentioned the possibility of converting the motor industry almost entirely to the manufacture of aeroplane engines or parts. Hearings Begin Tomorrow. The House upheld the Speaker’s decision, directing the Bill to the Foreign Affairs Committee rather than the Military Affairs Committee, Avhose chairman claimed a transfer. Hearings on the Bill will begin tomorrow. Mr Kenneth Simpson has introduced a revised form of the Bill, limiting Mr Roosevelt’s authority to two years, and restricting loans to the British Empire and Ireland, says a later despatch. The Secretary for the Treasury (Mr Henry Morgenthau) announced that the British are negotiating with the American Investment Trust Corporation for a possible liquidation of British-owned investments in the United States.