Evening star., 1940-05-24
Pepper Asks
Repeal Of
Johnson Act
Democratic Women
Hear Senator Urge
Loan of Warships

Repeal Of the johnson Act to per-
init loans to the Allies was advo-
Gated by Senator Pepper of Florida
In dinner address last night before
the Woman's Democratic Club. The
loan of American battleships for
convoy duty, to permit release of
British ships for active service and
the sale of some parts of the existing
air equipment Of the Army to the
Allies at once also was recommended
by the Senator.
Predicting that Italy would enter
the war within q week, Senator
Pepper said: IF the United States
would do these things it would serve
as warning to italy and she would
think twice before entering the war
on the side of Germany"
Senator Pepper did not approve
sending troops abroad and expressed
the belief If the aid he advocated
were extended now it would not be
necessary. He said Hitler is out
to conquer the world and If he
defeated the Allies it was obvious
there would be a totalitarian form
OF government throughout Europe.
1t would be impossible, he continued,
for such form of government to
exist on one hemisphere and a DEM
ocratic form on another without
eventual conflict.
50 Billions for Defense.
Il predict" he declared, that in
five years time we will spend so
billion dollars to defend this country
against Hitler if he wins the war
in Europe"
The Senator said democracy is now
struggling under the impact of the
machine age, which is responsible
Tor so much unemployment.
1T Is democracy's problem" he
said, ito find a way for these people
to work: to find way to profit by
their service: to find how they NAV
serve their generation"
Harmony and accord must exist
among democracy's leaders, he con-
tended, If people are going to be
willing to fight for its preservation.
Its leaders must know where they
are going and what they are doing
and must determine that they will
get there 50 strongly and eloquently
that democracy's citizenry shall rush
to their side ready to do battle for
their dreams" he added.
An optimistic note was sounded by
the Senator in his belief that
democracy has just reached the
first run Of its upward climb to a
better and a brighter world"
Democracy Must Live"
Democracy may not survive in
Europe, he stated, but 1t must not
be allowed to die here-"the Amer
lea that God has saved maybe for
just such moments as this"
America, believe, will speak out
and speak out with such force and
clearness and Righteousness that all
faltering and doubling men and
women and children everywhere
who love, liberty, shall take heart
and begin anew the struggle that
they won thousands times, always
TO win again" he concluded. 1--WE
must, we will save democracy-as
the living and the holy dead de-
creed it."
In reply to questions at the con-
clusion OF his speech, Senator Pepper
declared in his opinion Congress
Jagged behind the country in its de-
sire for action in the present emer-
gency.
He urged members to write to their
representatives and request action in
matters Of national defense as well
as aid to the allies.
Our way of living is in jeopardy"
he warned, "and 1t needs valiant,
courageous and unrelenting cham
pions."
Mrs. D. Tucker Brown, club presi-
dent. presided and introduced the
speaker. Guests of honor included
Mrs. Pepper, Mrs. Hazel Reavis and
Mr.. Claude Lee.