Evening star., 1940-06-01
CongressBacks
Billion Boost
In Arms Funds
RooseveIt's Guard
Plan Encounters
Sharp Opposition
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Congress rallied unhesitatinglJ
today behind President ROOSEVELT
call for another billion to fortify
the ramparts of national defense
but there was sharp dissension IL
the ranks over his request for powea
to call out the National Guard II
needed.
From both parties came staunch
support for the broadened prepared
ness plans. Representative Martin
of Massachusetts,, the Republican
leader. said his party would join in
every effort to improve defenses.
The latest arms recommendation
gave the Nation prospective mil
itary bill roughly three-fourths of
the s6.148, 1876 900 spent for the Army
and Navy during Americas first full
fiscal year in the World War.
S4,672,011,352 Total.
Although Mr.. Roosevelt spoke in
bCl lilo Vi llldll d
dollars authoritative quarters said
that the expenditures contemplated
in yesterdays special message would
come to S1,375 100000 Added to
regular and extraordinary measures
now pending, this would make
total of s4,672, OIL 352.
While Congress evinced readiness
to vote the mounting millions, Mr..
Roosevelt's accompanying National
Guard recommendation encountered
prompt opposition.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican,
of Michigan told reporters the re-
quest for power to call out the Ma
tional Guard if necessary to main
tain neutrality was a Shocking"
proposal which sounded as if the
President wanted to be able to order
partial mobilization by Executive
authority alone. Senators Wheeler,
Democrat, of Montana, Nye, Repub-
lican, of North Dakota and Bridges,
Republican. of New Hampshire,
seconded this view
Senator Austin. Republican, of
Vermont, consistent supporter Of
the Roosevelt foreign policy. said
the proposal was unfortunate" and
would have an adverse effect on
harmony between the President and
Congress"
Woodring Explains.
What does he know that we
don't know that would justify him in
implying that it would be necessary
to call out the National Guard to
enforce neutrality?" he inquired.
Secretary Woodring sought to
clarity the situation with a state
ment explaining that the War De-
partment had asked that the au.
thority be sought, but had no pres.
ent intention of using it.
If it should later become neces.
sary to call out the National Guard,
Secretary Woodring said, the initial
purpose would be to give the men
field training and seasoning such
as is given the Regular Army.
| Gen. George c. Marshall, Army
chief OF staff, it was recalled, re.
Gently told a congressional COM
mittee he opposed Guard mobiliza.
ton as long as it could be avoided
He pointed out that it would draw
men away from jobs connected with
the defense program.
Sheppard Supports Plan.
Supporting the presidential re-
quest for National Guard power,
Senator Sheppard, Democrat, Of
Texas said he approved because I'VE
must be prepared for any emer-
gency." Chairman May of the
House Military Committee an.
nounced that the necessary legisla-
ton would be introduced Monday
and quickly passed along to the
House for action.
In asking for more rearmament
funds, Mr.. Roosevelt said that "the
almost incredible events of the past
two weeks" in Europe made the
money necessary to hasten prompt
and big deliveries of guns, ammu-
milton and fire control equipment,
and also to train a vast group of
specialists for work in industry and
In Army and Navy service.
Details of the program will be
given to congressional committees
next week by War and Navy De-
(See DEFENSE, Page A-4)