Evening star., 1940-06-14
Roosevelt May Ask
Building Of More
Small Warships
Sinking Of Z British
Plane Carriers Prompts
Restudy Of Program
By the Associated Press.

''S 'SFS
Restudy Of Program
By the Associated Press.
Authority for recasting the pro-
jected fleet-eXpansion program
may be sought from Congress, 1t
was reported today, because of the
object lessons which have marked
the naval phases of Europe's war.
President Roosevelt, a usually
we'll informed source disclosed, is
considering requesting permission
to shift legally fixed tonnage clas-
sifications so that a larger number
OF smaller and lighter warships
could be built than was originally
contemplated.
This hint of reappraisal of Navy
plans gave an added flip to stead
lily mounting congressional senti-
ment against adjourning June %.
Anti-adjournment forces used as
another argument for staying here
the new and last appeal" which
Premier Reynaud of France ad-
dressed to the United States last
night for help and clouds of war;
planes from across the Atlantic"
The White House promptly ex-
pressed assurance that everything
is being done that possibly can be
done"
New Proposals Offered.
Some lawmakers were of the
opinion that the Nation should go
to greater lengths and offered new
proposals for abandonment of the
Neutrality Act.
On the other hand, Senate bloc
was forming to fight any attempts
to supply direct governmental mil
itary aid to the Allies. Members OF
this group made clear that they
would not resist indirect aid along
present lines.
On the question of recasting the
ii per cent feet expansion plans,
congressional consent would be
necessary because the recently ap-
proved bill allocated 1880 tons for
aircraft carriers, Sc 500 tons for
cruisers, and 1000 tons for sub
marines. The Navy was given a 20
per cent leeway in shifting the clas-
slflcations of vessels. but even great
er latitude may be found necessary.
The sinking of two British aircraft
carriers with a heavy loss of planes
and equipment. naval circles ex-
planned. made it probable that the
size of future American carriers
would figure Importantly in any
program change
$4,000 Ton Carriers Urged.
American aircraft carriers nov
carry about 30 planes and have a
tonnage of about 10000. Some naval
experts were reported urging that
two carriers of $1,000 tons be built
for every 30.0OO-ton one contem-
plated, so that the loss would not be
so great If one was sunk. Smaller
carriers likewise would make it pos
sible to keep some in the Atlantic
and some in the Pacific, If neces-
Sary.
One school Of naval thought also
faVors construction of more and
smaller cruisers rather than finer
ana larger ones. The IL per cent
expasion bill provided for 2l fighting
ships and % auxilaries. Three air
craft carriers were specified, but the
number of cruisers and submarines
was not broken down, in order to
keep their individual tonnage secret.
The Navy evidenced anew yester-
day its determination to press for
ward with its building program at
all speed. Contracts were awarded
for s9368 ,287 worth of machinery
for nine submarines and three
auxiliaries appropriated for in an
other bill which President Roosevelt
signed Tuesday. Orders to start
work on % ships were issued an hour
after the bill was signed.
Other Defense Moves.
Other events yesterday related to
defense or assistance for the Allies
included:
Joint Senate-House committee ap-
proval of legislation granting Mr..
Roosevelt the requested authority to
trade in surplus Army guns to manu-
facturers for resale to France or
Britain
The Senate's unanimous vote to
include a s50.000 900 fund for Allied
refugees in the pending relief bill.
A proposal by Senator Murray,
Democrat, of Montana to increase
the w. P. A. appropriation for the
coming fiscal year from 1915 $50 900
to 81 ,488 ,000,0 the extra money
to be spent for work on propects
related to defense preparations.
President Roosevelt conferred with
the National Defense Commission
on speeding up production of war
materials.
The total Of warplanes made avail
| able to the Allies rose to 263 with the
release of 80 Northrup attack craft,
abandoned last fall in favor of long
range light bombers.
Legislation forcefully restating
the Monroe Doctrine was approved
by the House Rules Committee for
early consideration on the floor.
Senate Tempers Flare.
Senate tempers flared yesterday
in another outbreak of debate about
the nature and extent Of American
aid to the Allies. Renewing his al
roNct doi1v ircicfaono that ayAry,