Evening star., 1940-05-17
Defense Fund Reaction
Newspaper Editorials Voice Support
For RooseveIt's Armament PIeu

For RooseveIt's Armom'
New York Times lind. .Dem.)-
Mr.. Roosevelt did not overstate the
potential dangers. It Is now our
opportunity to help demonstrate
that democracy, no less than die
tatorship, knows how to act de-
cisively In an hour Of crisis.
New York Herald Tribune Ind
Rep.)-Though the New Deal has
spent billions on defense, the coun-
try is not remotely prepared for
the prospect now before us. There
are many reasons for 1t, but, good
or bad, they no longer matter. It
is not what ought to have been
done which counts from this mo-
ment ONT is what we need to
do now.
Omahs (Neb.) World Herald
The important thing about the
Presidents message Is that he senses
the pathetic inadequacy Of our de-
tense system and that he proposes
to do something about 1t. There
are other points in connection with
his program, however. How are we
going to pay for 1t? A nation
which can't pay for the cost Of its
government in time Of peace Is In
danger OF going to smash II 1t tries
to spend additional billions for
ornaments
Cleveland Plain Dealer Ind.
Dem.)-Franklin D. Roosevelt never
appeared of larger stature, has
never spoken words of greater I'M
port to his country He swept
away all partisan httleness and
called for united action to resist
aggression There Is but one an.
swer fit for an American to give
to such a plea. 1t is to join In
full heartiness to give the Roose-
welt defense program the green light
to proceed.
Columbus Ohio State Journal
tRep.)-To the credit of President
Roosevelt be it said that he has al
ways had his hat on straight with
reference to national defense. It
behooves the United States to man.
ufacture every description Of air.
craft and especially to build effect
i've anti-aircraft defenses. To neg
lect our security would be criminal.
Cincinnati Enquirer (Ind.)-The
Presidents defense message was one
Of the ablest and most persuasive
addresses Of his career. We must
prepare now to face the aggressive,
revolutionary madness which Is so
near to victory over the free peoples
Of the old world-and which will not
relax its design Of conquest even II
that victory Is won.
Des Moines Uowa) Register
pite some things that could be called
unduly alarmist, its main points
were sound. The main purpose OF
his asking for big special fund in
his own hands-to step up tremen-
dously our capacity to produce
planes and engines for them-is en-.
tirely wise. Talking about an an
nual plane production of $4,000 is
like showing 4 hen an ostrich egg.
with the suggestion that there is an
example to emulate. the Presi-
dent was perhaps doing . bit Of
gorgeous bluinng for the benefit Of
certain foreign listeners.
Aoston Herald (R.)-1f the Presi.
dent had asked for 100000 planes
and $4,000 900 900 the people Of this
section would not have cavilled.
They have become deeply concerned
at the danger of German agrees
sion by arms and propaganda and
have been restive at the apparent
complacency OF Washington.
Atlanta Constitution It (the
Presidents message) should bring 4
new hope to those nations which
have put their faith in the demo-
cratic way of life, and 1t must bring
serious thought to those who have
given themselves to the gospel Of
ruthless force.
Memphis (Tenn.) Commercial Ap-
peal-The present state of the public
mind considered, few will flnd any
substantial fault with the Presi-
dents analysis Of the need for de-
tense In these times. The chief
lack in his speech lay in what 1t
did not contain, namely, any sus-
gestion or assurance that there viii
be 4 better measure Of co-ordinat ton
for speed and efficiency, attained
through the reliance on industrial
as well rs ofIlcial brains.
Kansas City Star lind d.)-Congress
should give the world 4 demonstra.
ton that In an emergency . demo.
cracy can act rs swiftly and over
whelmingly as = dictatorship.
Birmingham Age -Presi-
dent Roosevelt's program for ma
tional defense, presented -" in q
clear-cut, ringing address, un-
doubtedly will command the over
whelming support Of the country.
New Orleans Times Picayune
(Dem.)-What the President asks
q