Evening star., 1939-11-19


1Ueeks departmental experts hare
expressed the opinion this figure
is far too high.
BY j. A. OLEARY.
Senator Norris, independent, Of
Nebraska said yesterday he would
oppose increased defense appro-
priations at the next session of Con-
gress because he believed the money
could be spent more wisely for re-
lief of unemployment and agri-
cultural distress.
Picturing the United States as
unlikely to become involved in the
European war due to enactment of
the present Neutrality Act, the
Nebraska veteran, who usually sup
ports administration legislation, said
he thought Congress should give
its attention pr'klarily to domestic
economic problems.
eff we didn't have any other
troubles" Senator Norris told re-
porters, Il wouldn't feel so strong
ly against spending large sums for
the Army and Navy. But we can't
stop the expenditures for the relief
of unemployment and agricultural
| distress"
Indicates Liberals Alert.
His viewpoint was taken as an
indication liberals in Congress will
be on the alert to avoid having de-
fensive preparedness overshadow
domestic matters.
I There have been highly conflict
ing reports concerning the amount
of money that Congress may be
asked to appropriate for defense.
Some legislators said they under
stood the requests might aggregate
So 900 900 0O0-s1 700 900 900 for the
Army and 81 Sl,300.0O0,000 for the
Navy-but departmental experts
have protested that these figures
were too high.
In this connection. Secretary of
War Woodring indicated yesterday
that the War Department. annual
budget would exceed s700 900 900.
compared to this years figure of
approximately s450,O00 900.
Without mentioning any specific
figure, Secretary Woodring said the
departments objective was a per
feet Army of moderate size and
real striking force"
Stress Training and Equipment.
Whatever size Army is agreed on,
the time has come that we must
have force that is 1000 per cent
perfect he said. Numbers are less
important than training and equip
ment
I'VE cannot afford to depend long
er on a skeleton Army such as we
have had for the last several years,
with its transportation at, say. so
per cent of requirements, modern
armaments at 33 per cent and mod
ern anti-aircraft guns at 20 per
cent"
Although he would not disclose
details, Secretary Woodring termed
sound and honest the expansion
program to be presented to Con-
greSs and expressed hope that ma
tlonal defense needs would not be
decided on the "hit-and- miss" meth
ods of other sessions.
Care has been taken, he said. to
prevent building up top-heavy War
Department establishment that
would be one of the first targets
OF economists when a reaction oc-
ours"
President Roosevelt has indicated
that funds would be asked to recruit,
equip and train AN initial protec-
tive force of some 100000 regulars
and Guardsmen, involving an in
crease of about $4,000 men beyond
the existing authorized strength of
the land forces.
Optimistic Over Business.
While Senator Norris was arguing
against any great expansion of Army
and Navy funds and stressing relief
needs, Senator Capper, Republican,
of Kansas returned from New York
with the report that business circles
there are more optimistic over the
outlook and doubt that relief needs
will be as great next year as they
have been in the current year.
Senator Capper, advocating
strong air force and possibly more
naval vessels, agreed with Senator
Norris that America is not in dan
ger of attack, but took this view of
the question:
THE country with ample defense
forces now is in a fortunate posi-
ton. 1t serves as warning to other
people that we are going to take
care of ourselves if we have to, but
that we are not going to take part
IN other peoples wars"
The Kansan said he thought it
was agreed rather generally that the
next session will make some in
creases for national defense.
Il have never been much of an
advocate of big Army or Navy, but
conditions now are such that we
ought to give the subject attention."
he added.
Fears Debt Limit Boost.
Senator Norris, asked if he thought
Congress should increase taxes or
raise the $45,O00, 100000 statutory
limit on public debt which the
Treasury is fast approaching, re-
piled, I'VE probably will have to do
both"
Senator Capper, on the other
hand, expressed hope the debt CELL
ing would not have to be raised,
predicting that if it is done it will
be largely on account of the war
situation and the resulting national
defense needs. He voiced a hope
| also that new tax levies could be
avoided.
Senator Norris, discussing the
fiscal situation, recalled that not
many years ago, when the Gov
eminent was taking in more than its
| expenses, Congress scaled taxes