Evening star., 1940-05-05
Domestic Front

Apparently deeply concerned at pos
sible spilling of hostiities into Mediter-
ranean area, President Roosevelt on
Thursday conferred for nearly an hour
with Italian Ambassador Colonna.
At Friday press conference he would
say little, but implied much by remark
that this Government is doing all 1t can
to prevent further spread of war.
At same conference he talked at length
on studies being made by American de-
fense technicians of new fighting tactics
and material as found in North Euro
pean campaign. Several lessons already
have been learned. he explained, includ-
ing one that we must adopt heavier
caliber anti-aircraft gun.
Interesting to students of today's tac-
tics Of war at sea and air was reaction
Of Secretary of Navy Edison to first-
hand experiences while observing Pacific
fleet maneuvers.
Noting that one ship had theoretically
been sunk while he was aboard and that
another. flag battleship Pennsylvania,
had been badly damaged, Secretary told
press conference that
Bombers modern naval vessels
+ vs.. Ships need heavier armored
~topsides and greater pro-
lection for gun crews, communication
and fire control systems. Designers inn
mediately toyed with idea of "stream-
lining" superstr1ctures to include turtle
shell protective armament.
At his conference, President said re-
vision of designs for American ships now
contemplated would not materially de-
lay defense program.
He added further that he would not
oppose increased congressional appro-
priations for defense although he will
not ask more than is now contemplated.
With an apparently straight face, q
Pittsburgh "chowder and marching club"
headed by Samuel Harden Church, pres.
ident OF Carnegie Institute, offered 81 ,000,-
600 reward for capture Of
kidnopinq Adolf Hitler. An old
Of Hitler? time Hun-hater, on basis
of experience accumulated
in World War One, Church proposed
that Hitler be delivered 'for trial before
high court Of justice for his crimes
against the peace and dignity OF tho
world"
A professional strong man (not too
dumb offered to do job if given $780,
600 drawing account. Some Texas coll
legians volunteered if Carnegie Institute
would finance effort.
Dean Ackerman of Columbia School of
Journalism wrote Church: You have
won the unique position of warmaker
No. l."
Not amused, State Department checked
neutrality statute to determine possible
| violation.
Assertedly further to protect our neu-
trality, incidentally, was creation by At
'torney General Jackson last week of new
unit within Department of Justice to CO.
ordinate and direct Investigations, ar
rests and prosecutions under neutrality,
espionage, sabotage and similar laws.
Methodist resentment at President
Roosevelt's appointment of Myron c.
Taylor, retired steel magnate, ss per-
sonal wartime envoy to Vatican, SIM
mering for months past, boiled over at
General Conference of church in Atlantic
City in resolution demanding his recall.
Despite protest of minority that "this
| Is no time to stir up religious hatreds,"
adopted resolution declared Taylor ap-
pointment has created q spirit of un-
easiness and resentment in the minds
of a great number of people and .
has engendered discord and strife"