MAIN PROVISIONS OF BILL

Southland Times, Issue 24332, 13 January 1941, Page 5

MAIN PROVISIONS OF BILL

President Roosevelt's Bill for aid to Britain, which was introduced simultaneously in the House of representatives and in the Senate, enables British warships to enter United States’ ports for repairs. It authorizes the United States “to test, inspect, repair, fit out, and recondition any defence article for any Government.” The Bill also authorizes the President to manufacture defence articles in United States’ arsenals and private factories for any country whose defence the President deems vital to the United States. Thus the President’s power is virtually without limit, except in the case of cash appropriations, which Congress will be called on from time to time to provide in order to carry out the programme.

The Bill which is entitled “Act to Promote the Defence of the United States,” provides:

First, that “notwithstanding any other law the President may, from time to time when he deems it to be in the interests of national defence, authorize the Secretaries of War and of the Navy, or tlie heads of any other Department or agency, to manufacture any defence article for the Government of any country whose defence the President deems vital to the defence of the United States.”

Second, that he “may sell, transfer, exchange or lease land or otherwise dispose of to any such government any such defence article.” Third, that he may inspect, repair, fit out or recondition defence articles. Fourth, that he may “communicate defence information to any such government.” Fifth, that he may “release any defence article for export.” Such

action may be carried out “on terms which the President deems to be satisfactory and beneficial to the United States.” The Bill also authorizes the President to determine whether the United States should accept repayment for materials, loaned or leased, in kind or property or “any other direct or indirect benefit,” which he deems satisfactory.

The Bill defines “defence articles” in the broadest possible terms, which cover “machinery and tools necessary for manufacture as well as component parts and materials.” The Bill defines defence information as “any plan, specification, design, prototype or information pertaining to any defence article.”

It is considered that the Bill will be passed and ready for the President’s signature in five weeks.