Evening star., 1940-01-13
Finn Aid Slowed
ByRe|uctanceto
Take Initiative
Congress Leaders
Soy Responsibility
| Is Presidents

SuJ NeSPohSIDIbty
Is Presidents
SIMILAR LEGISLATIVE PRO.
GRAMS offered to Congress by
c. I. o. and A. F. of L. Page Az
MONEY SUPPLIED BY FORD
backed Homer Martin, affidavit in
labor probe charges. Page Al
PERSONNEL OF SUBCOMMIT-
TEE to handle D. C. appropriation
bill Is completed. Page Ais
A reluctance on the part of both
executive and legislative branches to
take the initiative appeared today
to be blocking speedy and direct aid
from the United States Government
to Finland.
This situation, regrettable from
the viewpoint of those who feel that
the beleaguered Baltic nation is de-
serving of prompt assistance in its
hight to maintain its independence,
came to light yesterday as President
Roosevelt suggested at a press con-
ference that congressional leaders
put aside political considerations
and hasten an agreement on what
they would favor in the way OF Fin
nish aid.
Reaction on Capitol Hill was i'm
mediate. While embracing pro-
fessed agreement that politics
should be eliminated from the ques-
tlon 1t raised the new bogey of
whether initiative in the matter
should come from the executive
branch rather than from within
Congress. Concern over potential
effects on American neutrality like
wise colored comment of the legis-
lators. Democrats as well as Re-
publicans contributed to the marked
shyneSs over the whole problem.
Committee Awaits Report.
Meanwhile, committee action on
half dozen pending bills to author
lze loans and other support for Fin
land will await reports on them
from the State and Treasury De-
partments and the Reconstruction
Finance Corp.
Bills so far introduced provide for
a $60,0o0000 loan, refunding the
Finnish debt to this country, sale
of the Army's new Garand semi
automatic rifles to Finland at 81
each, and canceling the remainder
of the republics post World War
obligation to the United States as
Of December /, with return of its
December IS payment.
Senator Barkley of Kentucky, the
Democratic leader, told reporters
that "all the implications" of any
loan should be gone into ito see
whether it would violate the spirit
of neutrality and whether it might
involve us in the European situa-
ton"
Questions Direct Loan.
Just thinking out loud" on the
question and not committing him
self, the Senator questioned whether
this Government could make a direct
loan to the Finnish government
without congressional authorization,
but said there was precedent for in
direct loans such as the Export
Import Bank loans to China, Fin
land and Norway.
The Export Import Bank and the
r. F. c. are understood, Incidentally,
to have under consideration a re-
quest for another loan to China.
James A. Moffett, California; Texas
Oil Co. executive, said after a White
House visit yesterday he hoped an
additional Chinese loan would be
granted.
Congressional leaders explained
that direct governmental loan TO
Finland would permit that country
to buy war supplies anywhere it
pleased, whereas an Export-Import
Bank loan would establish credits
for purchases only in the United
States.
Presidents Responsibility.
Senator McNary of Oregon, the
minority leader, said the President
should not attempt to throw the
Finnish question into the lap of
Congress" because it was his re-
sponsibility and his "duty to take
the initiative" in recommending
specific legislation.
He agreed with Senator Barkley
and the President, however, that the
question should be considered in q
non-partisan manner.
Senator Borah of Idaho, ranking
Republican on the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee, commented:
Il don't propose to take any step
that would involve us in the Euro
pean affair. I'm not ready to sup
port any such proposition until we
know all the facts which both Con-
gress and the State Department
are able to develop. Where this
thing could lead us is certainly a
problem"
Senator Barkley observed that
Congress revision of the Neutrality
Act was based on insulating this
country from Europe's battles and
that, for this reason, the Finnish
question would require careful an
alysis before any legislation was
passed.
Nye Against Loan.
He added it was mot material"
who initiated the legislation, but
that the management of our for
eign affairs is in the Executive, and
Congress should not take the ini-
tiative without the approval Of the
Executive and State Department