Evening star., 1940-05-17
Defense Plea Meets
Approval Of Both
Parties at Capitol
The Few Unfuvoyubte
Comments Are Concerned
Chiefly With Special Fund


fund exceeding q billion dollars cut
sharply across party lines today. by
far the bulk Of comment being
broadly favorable.
On both sides of the Capitol not
only Democratic but Republican
leadership indicated virtual unity
on the program. For instance. as
the President received quick assur-
ances Of support from Senate Ma
jority Leader Barley. Speaker
Bankhead and others expected to
guide the forthcoming legislation, he
likewise was given definite encour-
agement by Minority Leaders Nc
Nary in the Senate and Martin in
the House.
Were for the program" Mr..
Martin said. President Roosevelt
presented forcefully the national
needs of the hour"
Included in the relatively small
amount of critical comment from
Democratic ranks was that of
Senator Clark of Missouri who said
he was glad the President stopped
short Of war"
Merely Raising the Ante"
II am not convinced" he added,
that by simply raising the ante
and spending more money under
the same auspices that we have
spent the last $1,000, ,000, 900 for de-
tense we viii be better OF than we
are now"
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of
South Carolina, said he thought
Congress would give the President
all Of the money he asked for, and
Chairman Glass Of the Senate Ap-
preparations Committee observed
that he hoped action would come
quickly.
Senator Austin Of Vermont, as
sistant Republican leader, expressed
doubt, however, that it would be
necessary to make 500, 900 600 in
direct appropriations and 500, ,000,-
O00 in contract authorizations
available for expenditure as the
President might later choose.
I'm willing to appropriate for
defense items, but am not willing
to make appropriations for any one
man." Senator Austin declared.
Republicans Favorable.
9th comment:
Senator McNary. Republican, Of
Oregon: ut was an interesting
message and should receive i'm
mediate study by Congress"
Senator Lodge. Republican. Of
Massachusetts,: 1T was an able
exposition. It Is q step In the
right direction, but I want to know
details before we act"
Senator Tobey, Republican. of
New Hampshire: "A good message.
The example Of Congress and the
President pulling together as q team
would have been better If there was
some of the teamwork the last seven
years"
Senator Byrd, Democrat, Of vir-
inia: Il agree 100 per cent that
ire must have adequate prepared
hess. To that end every extravagAnt
expenditure should be eliminated"
Senator Bone, Democrat, Of Wash
ington: "It was a very frank and
revealing statement OF defense needs
from the Presidents viewpoint.
Improve generally OF the necessary
appropriations for defense"
! Senator Adams, Democrat, Of Col
prado: 81 do not think the danger
IS as acute as the President states,
but am willing to accept his judg-
ment on defense needs"
Barley Praises Message.
J Senate Majority Leader Barkley:
The Presidents message set forth
bur military and naval situation in
terms so simple that every one can
understand it and so fair and con-
ttructive that the American people
Hill approve and applaud his request
Of Congress-"
Speaker Bankhead: TT is appar-
ent to me that the entire House,
Including both parties, and think
he people of the whole country,
Pill heartily agree with the sub
etance of the Presidents speech and
Fill support his very reasonable
recommendations"
Chairman Walsh of the Senate
Naval Committee: "A sound, strong
Ind inspiring address. Congress and
he United States will accept it en-
41usiastically. The recommendations
rNl fill our needs for the time
Being"
Chairman Scrugham, Democrat,
q Nevada. Of the House Naval Ap-
tropriations Subcommittee: I'm my
opinion the Presidents message in
eures q demand for a third term
Which will be hard for him to re-
4use. It was craftsmanship through
cut"
Chairman Vinson Of the House
Naval Committee: Il am thor
&lghly in accord with his prepared
4ess program"
Nye Sees Belligerent Note.
! Senator Nye. Republican, of In
4aana, critic Of administration
1oreign policies, professed to detect
belligerent note.
The Presidents call for tough
Hess on the part Of the American
PEOPLE," he commented, 'leads one
. wonder how tough the admins
eation is going to get after Con-
Qess adjourns."
"A Republican exception to the
Completeness Of the defense pro-
gosals was taken by Representative
Taber Of New York, q member Of
tie Appropriations Committee.
"The President failed to say that
u is going to appoint Secretary
q War and q Secretary Of Navy
Competent to run their departments,
dhd this is the prime essential be-
fore another dollar is turned over to
Him to fritter away" Mr.. Taber said.
sSenator Connally, Democrat, Of
Texas: I'm standing squarely be-
4nd the President in this program"
sSenator Wheeler, Democrat, of
Montana: II am for the entire
program as the President outlined
Is"
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