The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-05-10

LAW CHANGES
PROBABLE NOW
Conferees Agree on Super
Navy Bill; Is Ready for
Concurrence

~
Efforts to change the United
States neutrality act, particularly
regarding this country'S position
in the Spanish and Sino-JapaneSe
wars, appeared doomed to failure
Iost nimht at least during this SEES
sion of congress. g.. -.
President Roosevelt, immediate
w after returning to the WHITE
House from a Today Caribbean
rruisc. called in Secretary of
State Cordcll Hull aud his con-
mrcssional licutcnant| for a con
ference on neutrality problems
and pending legislation.
No announcement of the fresl-
dents views on neutrality and et-
forts to lift the embargo against
sh,nmcnt Of arms and munitions
70 Spain was made after the con
florence, but House Majority Lead
err Sam Rayburn o., IeX.) en-
phatically opposed "monkeyng
with the neutrality law at this
time"
Later, Chairman Sam McReyn-
Odds 3D., Tcnn.) of tn" house for
cipn affairs committee, stated flat
" that the neutrality law won't
be repealed"
~ haven't seen he President
about it," McRcyno!is said. hut
in m, opirion he won't ask Tor
its repeal.
Hull declined To comment ON
his conference with TIC President,
EXCEPT to say that his report on
operation of 5hc neutrality law
has not been completed. TIL" re-
mort was asked last week by Chair
man Key Pittman d.. New of
the senate foreign relations com
mittec. after Sen. Gerald p. Nye
(R.. \. d. introduced a resolu-
ton to lift the embargo on arms
and munitions to Spain.
Despite the lack of White
House and state department COM
ment. administration COMPRESSION
al opinion was strongly against
any change in the Law at this SEES
sion. Mr.. Roosevelt is not expect
ed to attempt to jam through any
legislation in view of the urgency
of the pending legislative state.
including the wages and hours bill
and the recovery program.
Although there is strong Scntl-
ment in both houses for lifting the
embargo against Spain, which Is
claimed to have been highly help
ing the Insurgents, congressional
leaders doubt the wisdom of
changing policies while the war Is
still in progress.
McRcynoIds. in an interview
with the United Press. warned
that Italy and Germany might
construe lifting of the embargo as
an unfricndly act, and said this
could only tend to further disturb
European politics.
Leaders also pointed out that
any change in the status of the
embargo or the neutrality act it
self at this time would be seized
upon in the Forthcoming congress
sional election campaigns as a
means Of attacking administra-
ton foreign policy, which was I'M
der fire internationally for more
than two months in the senate
during congressional conSidera-
ton of President Roosevelt's huge
naval expansion program. ..
House and senate contereeS
reached agreement on the super
navy bill calling for an additional
&c fighting ships, 26 auxiliarics
and at least $50 airplaneS, and
sent the measure back to both
houses for concurrence.
The confcrence-approved bill
authorizes construction of three
supcr-hattleships and empowers
the President to determine their
size up to $4,000 tons accord
ing to the need of our own ma
tional defense. rather than ac-
cording to what some other ma
ton may be doing
In addition to the battleships,
the bill authorizes construction Of
two aircraft carriers, nine cruiS-
ers, 23 destroyers and nine sub
marines.
The conferees agreed to a pro-
viso permitting the President to
abrogate provisions of the Walsh
Healey act setting labor standards
for ship construction under gov
eminent contracts, SHOULD it be
deemed necessary in the interests
6