The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-12-06

HOW WE ARE HELPING

HOW WE ARE HELPING
Despite efforts Of industry To
carry out President Roosevelts
policy Of "all aid short Of war for
Great Britain, this country has
failed 70 measure up to .expecta'
tions in supplying airplanes-the
implement of war most needed by
the British Defense officials CON
coded that this is correct but eX-
press confidence that the new year
will find the flow OF aircraft mark
edly increased
Exact figures on aircraft. being
turned out for Britain in American
factories are not available but sta
,tistics prepared by the Commerce
Department indicate that published
estimates Of from 500 10 500 air
planes a month are excessive.
The Commerce Departments fig
urcs. which defense officials say
are accurate, show that in the year
ended Oct 81 only l,044 planes We're
exported TO the United Kingdom.
Officials profess not 10 know how
many OF these actually reached their
destination. Some were flown over
from Canada, others were carried
by ships from American and Cana
dian ports.
The Administration has taken
several steps in the past year to
remove Obstacles that might impede
British acquisition OF aircraft. In
the fall OF 1889. the army waived
prior delivery in favor OF Great
Britain for about 1000 planes: last
month President Roosevelt estab-
lished a $3.50 rule of thumb TO give
the British access to at least half
OF this country's armament produc-
ton facilities; the defense priori-
ties committee permitted placement
OF British orders for 1900 air
planes In addition to similar num-
Der previously contracted for; the
army has agreed TO let the British
take prior delivery on 20 four-en-
glned Consolidated bombers IN ex
change for enough engines 10 power
Al Boeing flying fortresses which
lack engines; negotiations are be-
ing concluded to release 20 Of the
latest type flying fortresses.
Other aid 10 Britain has included
the gift OF fifty average navy de-
stToyers to Britain in exchange for
long-term leases for eight bases in
British possessions and Canada.
Fifty navy dive bombers were
declared obsolete and sold to
Britain.
About 500 World War Enfield
rifles, artillery. mortars. munitions
and other war materials we're de,
clared surplus after the Flanders
debacle and sold 70 the British.
The SperTy bombsight, considered
highly accurate but not quite as
good as the secret Norden sight,
was released for British use.
The government agreed 70 permit
the British 10 acquire shipbuilding
facilities here for the construction
of freightegs.
Abou- 100 obsolete World War
tanks were turned over for training
purposes In Canada
Indirectly the British are being
aided by Treasury orders freezing"
the wealth in this country Of ma
tons conquered or wholly dominat-
ed by Germany. L. 5 .Canada Joint
defense pact, the neutrality patrol
The number Of American planes
received by the British may be
higher than export figures indicate.
During the IL months ended Oct.
81, the United States exported 42l
planes for Canada, presumably for
Canadian use. Some probably we're
sold to Britain.
Commerce Department statistics
show that in the year ending Oct
81 exports 10 the United Kingdom
included sis land planes equipped
vita engines, "A land planes with
out motors, and p unassembled
land planes which were 70 be put
together abroad. In the same period,
Canada got 35i powered land planes.
SIX seaplanes or amphibians and 81
unassembled aircraft
Here are the month .by-month
statistics Of plane exports 10 the
United Kingdom Nov 1855.
Dec. 1888; Jan 1901: Feb
-ls; Mar-I2, Apr 23: May
-ls June-97; July-173. Aug
2fs, Sept-l36; Oct--i77. The drou
following August is attributed 10
changes In designs which caused
showdown in production. From
mere on out, the production should
increase steadily and Britain may
ne getting between 400 and 500 a
month by June, 1871, II not too
many obstacles are dropped into
the path Of production
o.