U.S.A. PLANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 67, 20 March 1942, Page 5

U.S.A. PLANS

THOUSANDS OF PLANES ENORMOUS PROGRAMME (By Telegraph—Press Asaociation— Copyright.) Washington, March 18. President Roosevelt told his press conference to-day that he would ask Congress to appropriate 17,579,000,000 dollars with which to build aeroplanes for the army. The President said the appropriation, together with previous ones, would provide 148.000 aircraft of all types. He added that he will ask for more money for an additional 23,500 army planes within six weeks. Mr. Roosevelt also said there was no need for legislation for a 40-hour week issue, since things were going pretty well. He now said he favoured a continuance of tune and ahalf pay for work over 40 hours, but asked Labour to rescind the contract rules requiring double-time pay for Sunday work. The President decried the amazing state of public misinformation and said many people apparently believed the working week was nowlimited by law to 40 hours, “but it is not, since many war plants are working many hours more.” Mr. Roosevelt observed that Congress cannot pass a law to' make a man turn out more work. “That is up to the man himself,” he said. The President advocated more parades, bands, and flag-waving in order to stir up enthusiasm for the war effort.