The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-21

against repeal of the arms embargo and the letters and telegrams of his followers are arriving by the hun- dreds. Henry Ford came out against repeal in an interview yesterday. On the other hand, the proponents of repeal are numerous and are express sing themselves.
 The whole question hinges around which of two attitudes is the more neutral and, therefore, more likely to keep America out of war.
 White House Source
 Washington, Sept. 21-(UP)-In- formed White House source said to- day that President Roosevelt told his national unity conference that exercise of present emergency pow- CTS might be more effective in pre- serving American neutrality than a hard and fast formula fixed by act of congress.
 The source said that MT. Roose- welt informed former Gov. Alfred M. Landon that he proposes to keep congress constantly informed of day by day developments after adjourn ment of the special session by asking special committee of four major leaders of both parties to remain in Washington to receive official gov- ernment information.
 It was said that MT. Roosevelt feels that it would be much easier for the president and the state de- partment to meet constantly shif- ing neutrality problems when and if they develop by exercise of pres- ent powers than if congress laid down a hard and fast, unvarying formula, not sufficiently elastic to meet specific situations.
 It was made clear that MT. Roose- velt's major objective is repeal of the mandatory embargo.
 The informed source said that Col Frank Knox, 1896 Republican vice presidential candidate, said that he would not want any act of congress to put him in a position of violat- ing the law in structly routine and legitimate activities such as shifting war correspondents in combat areas or, for instance, making a trip tc Europe to visit a member of his family who might become suddenly and critically ill.
 It was said that MT. Roosevelt feels that 8 rigid definition of cash and carry system might largely keer American flag vessels off the seas and exclude them from many &C., tivities in which they are now en- gagged legitimately and profitably. The White House source said that London said that he had told news. men he favors congress remaining in session during the duration ot the European crisis.
 MT. Roosevelt, it was said, tolt Landon he proposes to advise witt congress continuously after disposa of the neutrality issue, giving i complete daily reports and keeping it fully informed on European de. velopments and their impact on thi country.
 He reportedly said that he pro poses to ask four congressiona leaders to remain here after tn, special session has acted upon neu trality and adjourned.
 To this group the president pre- sumably would present his daily re ports of developments abroad. A a possible personnel for this groul & White House source mentiones Senate Majority Leader Alben W Barkley, Minority Leader Charles I McNary, House Majority Leade Sam Rayburn and House Minorit; Leader Joseph L. Martin, IT. Should McNary, for instance, fin, that his interests at his home il Oregon make 1t inadvisable for hiu to remain here indefinitely, it wa said, Assistant Minority Leade Warren R. Austin, R., Vt. migh take McNary's place.