Evening star., 1940-05-27
Defense
Continued From First Page.)


creased to 100000 men. The present
strength of the Army is 255.OO0,
and the military defense appro-
prlatlon for the coming year only
raises it to the authorized peacetime
strength of 100000.
Senator Lodge declared, however.
that the National Defense Act of
1920, which was based on World
war experience, needs revision. In
addition to adding nearly 100000
men to the Army. the Senator
argued for purchase of 1000 new
tanks. He gave the present number
as 400.
The Massachusetts, Senator said
that, while 100000 men will take part
in the August maneuvers of the
Army, the number will be "only
three-fourths the size of the late
Dutch army
He announced that within the next
few days he expects to present to the
Senate the draft of a proposed new
military policy for this Government.
Barbour Introduces Resolution.
Other developments today were:
Senator Barbour, Republican, of
New Jersey, offered a resolution in
tended to place Congress on record
against dictatorship even in the
event OF national emergency, by
placing time limits on the power OF
the President or other officials to
suspend civil liberties or lift labor
law restrictions.
Senator Davis, Republican, of
Pennsylvania, proposed use of a sub
stantial part of the new S975 $4,000
w. P. A. relief fund for national de-
tense projects.
Registration of all aliens, at post
Offices, within four months is only
one feature of the measure adopted
by the Judiciary Committee today.
1t also fixes heavy penalties for at
tempting to circulate subversive
propaganda in the military forces,
and broadens the grounds on which
aliens may be deported.
In making the suggestion for use
OF w. P. A. funds, Senator Reed said
the fund just approved by the House
may be spent in eight months and
that another S5O0,OO0,O0O relief ap-
preparation probably will be consid-
cred when Congress returns.
Here is about billion and half
dollars, much of which can be used
to promote our national defense pro-
gram" Senator Davis observed. "The
War Department shortly will know
what definite work projects will be
necessary to promote national de-
tense. Projects would include air.
ports, highways, flood control and
training facilities of all kinds"
Suggests Liaison Unit.
Senator Davis suggested forma-
ton of liaison unit made up of rep
resentatives of w. P. A., P. w. A., r.
F. c. and the War and Navy Depart
ments.
Meanwhile, there was still only
speculation on Capitol Hill as to
whether Congress will attempt to
deal with the financing problem
now or on its return. With leaders
aiming at adjournment between
June and IS, a last-minute tax
bill appeared almost out of the
question. There remained the pos
sibility, however, of move to raise
the $45,00O, 900, 900 public debt limit.
The administration is believed in
some congressional quarters to be
considering the advisability of lifting
the debt ceiling by $4,000, 100000 to
make certain the Treasury would not
confront financing difficulties before
the next Congress convenes. Some
OF those who deal with revenue leg
1slation are satisfied, however, that
the whole question OF financing the
defense program could wait until
January, on the assumption the OBJ
legations being incurred would not
all be paid out until after that date.
Two Naval Bills.
The House has set aside tomorrow
for consideration of two naval au-
thorization bills. One is intended
to sanction the proposed increase
IN Navy planes from 5000 to 10000
along with authority to train 10000
pilots and to build 20 score bases
for the Air Corps along the At
lantic, the Pacific and at important
tnsular possessions.
The second measure is designed
to expedite the letting of contracts
and to speed up work in navy yards
and private ship yards by permit
ting more than 40 hours a week
with time-and-a-half for overtime
The Senate expects to start de-
bate by tomorrow on the bill which
passed the House before the wal
situation became acute, authorizing
more ships for the Navy. The Sen
ate may incorporate in this measure
the newly proposed expansion o1
naval air defense the House is con.
sidering as a separate bill. Thi!
would hasten final enactment.