The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-21
Congress Gathers In
 An Historic Session
tContinued from Page D

NNUA1tuAuSO freer hand will aggravate Senate de- bate of neutrality policy. But the prospect as congress met was for ultimate administration victory at least in the contest over repeal Of the arms embargo.
 Confers Two Hours
 He conferred for two hours and "A minutes yesterday with Republicans and Democratic leaders. The White House announced that the conferees had agreed unanimously that their primary and non-partisan objective was to keep the United States neu- tral and at peace.
 MT. Roosevelt felt out the con- ferees on outright repeal of the whole neutrality law and was strongly backed by Vice President John N. Garner.
 Outright Appeal Doubtful
 The President and Vice Pres1- dent were told that not more than five members of the senate foreign relations committee would support such a proposal. But a United Press poll indicated a committee major ity to amend the neutrality law by repeating the arms embargo and es- ltablishing cash and carry policy on the sale of American goods to bei- ligerent states.
 The embargo repeal margin IS slim but appears dependable. The me up on the basis of votes and ex- pressions of opinion is believed te be as follows:
 For arms embargo repeal and cash and carry (12)-Pittman, Harrison Connally, Van Nuys. Wagner, Bark lev. Murray, Schwellenbach, Guffey Green. Pepper and Thomas of Utah
 Against repeal (8)-Clark of Missouri, Borah, Johnson, Capper, Vandenberg. LaFollette. Shipsteao and George. .
 Doubtful (3)-Gillette, Reynolds and White.
 Some administration leaders hope George will switch. The Republican front already has been broken ana many anti-new deal Democrats are rallying to the Roosevelt program Among Democrats who have buckeo the administra ton on other issues but who will vote to abandon tne embargo are: Senators Pat Harrl- son, Democrat, Mississippi, Garter Glass, Democrat, Virginia, and Alva B. Adams, Democrat, Colorado. Landon Wants Good Defense
 Ali M. Landon, 1936 Republican nresidential nominee, emerged from the White House conference, de- ciaring that the United States should arm itself at once. He saic present national defense was no' adequate.
 He thought congress should re. main in session throughout tht emergency. 'ar. Roosevelt was saie to have suggested that congress sreed it's work but that house anc senate Republican and Democratic Headers remain here, presumably a! liaison between the legislative ane executive branches.
 The president retained complet' freedom of action after his confer ence with respect to his neutralit! message to congress today. He ak not indicate whether he would asl
 for repeal of the entire statute, re- peal of the arms embargo alone or
 merely, submit the problem to con gress and ask for some action whici
 would make the present law mor' neutral.
 President Says Unneutral He told the conferees the presen
 act was unneutral because 1t violat ed a never disputed tenet of inter national law that 8 belligerent l entitled to purchase arms from neutral.
 The president was described as good listener at the conference amenable, agreeable and willing t' hear all arguments. And the con terence seemed substantially t' agree with him that something should be done about the embargo although there was no agreemen on procedure.
 MT. Roosevelt wants short ses sion. He told his conferees that h. hoped business would be restricted to legislation to deal with the emer gency and that Congress could g, home in three weeks. Administra ton strategy is aimed at quick ca pitalization of what is believed to b majority popular and newspape support for arms embargo repeal t be replaced with 8 cash and carr. proviso.
 l Wants Continuous Session Senate isolationists and a smat tering of those who support the ad ministration program are urgin that Congress remain in session. First action will come in the Sen ate foreign relations committed Chairman Pittman said he believe a bill could be reported to the Sen ate floor for consideration by Mon day.
 The public has been debating tn issue since Mir. Roosevelt called tn special session. The Rev. Charle E. Coughlin has come out strongl