Evening star., 1940-07-23
Army Plea Reported
For IT, 5. TO Spread
British Plane Orders
Interference With Own
Air Fleet Expansion
Program Feared
By ROBERT RRJJSKJN

The Army has appealed to the
National Defense Advisory Commits
sion to prevent purchase of 1900
warplanes by Great Britain from
interfering with the Nations own
expansion of its air fleet, 1t was
learned today.
The British purchase of pursuit
and bombing planes was interpreted
by diplomatic sources as an indica-
tion that Great Britain was prepar-
ing for a long campaign despite the
peace overtures of Adolf Hitler.
The order was the first issued in
six weeks by Arthur B. Purvis, head
OF the British Purchasing Commits
sion. Previously Britain and France
had purchased 1000 planes, totaling
81 200, ,000,0 900.
Conference Called.
The seriousness of the situation
was indicated with the calling of a
conference in the office of Secre-
tary OF the Treasury Morgenthau
to discuss efforts to synchronize the
British air purchases in this coun-
try so they will not interfere with
the Nations procurement.
Attending the conference were
Secretary of War Stimson. Secre-
tary of the Navy Knox, William 5.
kundsen, Defense Commission chief
OF production; Maj. Gen. Henry H.
Arnold, chief of the Army Air
Corps; Rear Admiral John H.
Towers, chief Of the Navy Air Force :;
Mr.. Purvis. Maurice Wilson, Per-
sonal representative of Lord Beaver
brook, British air minister; w. H.
McReynolds, secretary OF the De-
tense Commission, and Donald M
Nelson, Treasury co-ordinator OF
foreign purchases.
Mr.. Knudsen and Edward r. Stet-
tinius, chief OF raw materials for the
commission, conferred this morning
with Louis johnson, Assistant Sec
retary of War. presumably to seek
methods for spreading the British
order in such a manner that 1t will
not conflict with the program of the
Army and Navy to purchase $4,000
planes.
Army officials conferred late yes
terday with Mr.. Knudsen in an
effort to solve the problem of the
Nations own procurement and at
the same time assure flow of war
planes to Great Britain.
Funds are being sought today in
hearings before congressional COM
m1ttees for 10000 warplanes, $4,000
for the Army and 1000 for the
Navy. This will give the Army an
air fleet of $4,000 and the Navy
10000.
Contracts Delayed.
Funds previously were voted for
more than 10000 planes, but it was
learned today that contracts had
not yet been signed although the
Defense Commission had announced
earlier that it had cleared contracts
totaling 500 100000. War Depart
ment officials disclosed that the
contracts were being withheld at the
ANAASco "a nNAotAOlA GOlllJdlllCS HCllu.
ing passage Of the excess profits
tax law which would permit avia-
ton companies to write of new
facilities in five years against their
profits rather than 8 or 10 years
as now provided.
The new law also would eliminate
the 8 per cent profit limitation as
now provided.
Despite the lack of Army and
Navy contracts. aviation companies
were said to be continuing expan-
sion in anticipation of the quick
passage of the new tax bill. Expan-
sion has become extensive, particu-
larly in West Coast companies. The
North American Aviation Co. was
reported authoritatively to be build
ing planes which will be stocked
until the contracts are signed. This
procedure, the source said, will per-
NIT the company to make instant
deliveries.