Evening star., 1940-05-19
Domestic Front

President Roosevelt topped all other
domestic events last week by asking Con-
gress for immediate appropriation of
s896,000,000 for supplementary defense
program, plus s2S6,OOO 900 additional in
contract authorizations.
In each category of this s1,182 600 900
total, Mr.. Roosevelt asked that 500 O00.-
900 be placed at his personal disposaI--
a sum which he told reporters the next
day would be used for such emergency
purposes as might arise while Congress
Is IN adjournment. Initial congressional
reaction to program was decidedly favor
able with requests for funds for undesip-
mated use only element likely to stir
opposition.
Our ideal, our objective is still peace
peace at home and peace abroad" he
told cheering Congress.
billion Nevertheless, we stand
For Arms ready not only to spend
millions for defense, but
to give our service and even our lives
for the maintenance of our American
liberties
Most interesting proposals in his mes
sage were those for expanding Nations
industrial production capacity and for
creating air force of $4,000 planes.
Having made clear earlier that he
considered problem of financing pro-
gram secondary, President made no men
tlon OF this issue in his message-deliy-
cred IN person before joint session of
House and Senate on Thursday.
On Friday, Chairman Harrison Of Sem
ate Finance Committee visited White
House, told reporters Treasury was pre-
pairing information on revenues and ex-
pendltures, indicated personal preference
for delaying financing decision until
January if Treasury can operate until
then without passing statutory debt
limit.
Defense mindedness of Congress was
demonstrated in favorable action by
Senate Naval Committee
Congress on Navy expansion bill.
Responds In its report, commit.
tee urged maintenance of
powerful naval air bases at numerous
Atlantic and Pacific points-includine
Guam. And on Friday, Senate Military
Affairs Committee moved swiftly to
clear way for requested Army funds.
AS this drive for greater defense ma.
chinery begins, Associated Press survey
OF existing establishment shows follow
ing:
Navy
Three hundred three warships, includ.
Ing Is battleships, manned by 145,O0o
enlisted men and 1861 officers: Is 600
marines and 1,345 Marine Corps officers:
1892 men in Enlisted Reserve: 1879
Reserve officers and 5382 officers and
men in Marine Corps Reserve.
Army
Approximately 1000 enlisted men In
the Regular Army and Philippine Scouts,
plus 1881 officers. of
Military whom 1900 are Air Corps
Strength pilots. An additional 4,454
enlisted men are on flying
status; some are pilots. There are 1O3,-
600 eligible Reserve officers; by next year
Regular Armys enlisted Reserve is ex-
pected to include about At 900 men with
previous military training. The total
authorized enlisted strength Of the Army
is 100000 men. Air Corps expects to
have about 1865. first-line planes on hand
by end of June, but. is building toward
a goal of $500 planes by June 80, ls41.
National Guard
Strength, Isl 900 officers and men, but
President Roosevelt could order it ex.
panded to about 10000.
Through State Department, this Gov
ernment indicated approval of Uruguay
an proposal for joint
Pon- American protest by 81 Ameri-
Protest can republics Of Ger
ban invasion of Low
lands
And In the weeks news were following
assorted items:
Violation of rules by overenthusiastic
soldiers In war games in Louisiana gave
defending Blue Army victory, but forced
of maneuvers. One mo-
torized cavalry brigade got lost, another
performed rare feat Of capturing a
general.
At Portsmouth, N. H., submarine Sail
Fish went into service Once known as
5qualus, undersea boat figured In tragedy,
nearly year ago when she was flooded
md foundered. ;kenty-six died then.