Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1940-12-23


WASHINGTON, Dec. o.
" How to straighten the legal
kinks in the garden hose that
Mr.. Roosevelt proposes to lend
neighbor Britain. is causing con-
siderable debate back in the
administration garden room.
The congressional leaders have
been sounded out on one new
kink-straightening device which
has the aspects of sensational
invention. The hose could be
scrambled into American defense
eggs so you could not tell the
difference unless you bit on it.
The appropriations for planes.
tanks and ships to be leased or
mortgaged to Britain could be
put into the same appropriation
bill as deficiency funds for
American defense weapons. In
the congressional debate, and in
public opinion. the two would
thereby become synonymous and
-unopposable. 4
NOTHING has been settled
~ yet. The White House is
still exploring alternate posi-
bilities. including amendment
of the johnson Act and neutral
ity law. but those observers who
watch such things closely are
inclined to lay odds that the
hose scrambling method will be
the one.
Their inclination is built on
highly authoritative advice that
the guiding considerations be-
hind the whole procedure are
these:
Nearly any kind of hose the
PreSident wants to Rand the
British would be apr ID and
appropriated for. By tie House
without much fuss
. A majority also could be mus
tered in the Senate for any rea-
sonable program. But there IS a
little group of wilful senator's,
+ particularly from the Midwest.
who are sure TO conduct his
toric debate on the subject.
Their objections might well
create a national disturbance on
the issue. The administration
naturally wants to shut them up
as much as possible.
-
IF THE aid issue is folded into
L vitality need ed deficiency
appropriations for domestic de-
Tense. no. senator will dare to
speak very long.
The whole question of aid to
Britain seems to be slipping into
a legal realm where the limits
and methods may be determined
by lawyers. For instance, the
campaign to employ American
ships for conveys has apparently
strangled itself in an inner legal
loophole.
Counsel for the administration
has decided legislation would be
required for such a step. Casual
polls of both Houses show such
legislation could not possibly be
obtained yet.
THE OLD Hull reciprocal trade
Il program is being quietly
taken off the shelf and reoiled
for a trial spin. You are likely
TO see il emerging. shortly as
another hemisphere d Tense
measure. Fact is, the guiding
authorities figure that political
changes have ripened the time
for new effort.
y The obstacle of Midwest farm
opposition is not as formidable
politically now since the election
has passed. The drive for hemi-
sphere solidarity has simultane-
ously rallied public interest for
any kind of suitable trade rela-
tons.
What the Hull people want
particularly is a treaty with
Argentina. Negotiations always
have been throttied in the past
by the prospect that the neces-
sary importation of Argentine
raw materials into this country
would rouse the-farmer.
I AUREL leaves were laid on
II the brow of Leon Hender-
st,ar, the price defender, by Mr..
Roosevelt in one OF those eXecu-
tive defense commission meet
ingS at the White House. The
President thinks Henderson has
done a good job in limiting price
advances by threatening use of
The policing baton.
nEEHrRF1-E -. J-n'-~