The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1939-02-02

Entered as Second Glass matte
ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
Prepare to the limit for war
and at the same time take ever.
possibl e legislative precautiol
against becoming involved in poten
tial wars that are not directly GU,
own concern" That, in sentence
seems to be the attitude Of congress.
today. ~-.. - T.
The details of the administration.
long discussed armament program
have at last come to light. The
President has urged that with "a.
great speed as possible" specia.
appropriation of $751;, 100000 be au-
thorized and spent for the tools OF
war. Three hundred millions of this
according to plan, is to go for army
airplanes; $110,000.000 is to go for
anti-air craft guns, automatic rifles
field pieces, etc.; 100000 for
strengthening our seacoast defenseS;
$27,00O,O00 to increase the normal
garrison In the Canal Zone; $44,-
100000 for naval bases; 1000, 900
for navy airplanes, and 100000
for training civilian air pilots, to
build up reserve of expert COM
bat fliers in case of necessity.
During the 1910 fiscal year about
billion more will be spent for mil
itary expansion and maintenance, in
addition to this emergency" half
billion, making total of about a
billion and half. That comes to a
little more than $40 for every man,
woman and child in America-a
sum not so large as exaggerated
early estimates indicated. but still
the largest in our peace-time his
tory.
The American people haven't had
q chance to vote AYE" or may" ON
this program officially. But. unof-
ficially, they have made their voice
heard, and the chorus of approval
has apparently drowned out the mi
nority Of dissenters. A late Insti-
tute Of Public Opinion poll, for
example, shows that the public is
overwhelmingly back Of the arma-
ment program: that the bulk of our
citizens feel that Germany is de-
mocracy's worst enemy, and favor
q boycott Of all German goods, and
that 46 percent Of those queried be-
1eve we will have to fight Germany
again in their lifetimes.
In congress, sentiment in favor
OF big-Scale armament is similarly
great. But there is also the feeling
that any major arms race breeds
great dangers which must be care
fully guarded against. Almost all
the countries, when they go into ex-
banding their military establish
ments, do it on the grounds of ma
tional defense" And then, very
often, their peoples find themselves
involved in wars of oftense. AL
number Of influential senators, fear
ing that our hatred of dictators may
reach the historical stage, are
planning legislation to prevent the
imposition Of sanctions against any
country which does not directly
menace us-and to strengthen, not
weaken, the terms Of the Neutrality
Act.
At the same time, sentiment in
congress in favor Of rigorous isola-
hon, even from our World War al
lies, seems to be ON the increase.
Frances continuous series of gov
ernmental crises has weakened
faith in her ability to hold her
place as a dominant European pow
er. And the feeling seems to be
growing that the Chamberlain gov
eminent IS adopting certain fascist
tactics such as control Of press
and radio. and the suppression Of
anti governmental expressions
which are not In accord with demo-
cratic principles.
Biggest debate over details of the
armament program Is liable to come
In considering the proposal that
Guam be made q first-class naval
base. Some experts think this would
be suicidal Guam Is an easy prey
Tor Japan. and II we attempted to |
defend her. they think, defeat would
% inevitable. These experts feel we |
can defend our mainland and the |
Hawaiian Islands but that Is as far
rs we can 60.
There has been little change Of |
In the business situa-
ton. Activity has continued at
fairly high levels, and the seasonal
decline has so far been moderate.
A long-term development Of i'm