The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-24
By sANDoR S. KLEIN

Limited Press Staff COrrespOndent)
 Washington, Dec. 24-(UP)-Ar- thur B. Purvis, head of the British Purchasing mission, said today that the next 90 days would be crucial ones for England but he scoffed at any suggestion that Britain might collapse.
 "Collapse?" he remarked to re- porters after an hour-long morning conference with Secretary of Treas lry Henry Morgenthau, Jr. That word is not in our dictionary"
 Purvis returned by clipper plane yesterday after a month ill the British Isles where he surveyed British needs and noted the prog ress of the empires war effort, He said that he had discussed the Eng fish situation with Morgenthau but he declined to amplify that state ment
 One suggestion defense directors are studying as means of speed ing up arms production for Britain and for the nations own rearma- ment program is greater utilization of the automobile industry's facil- ties for warplane manufacture. Automobile manufacturers will sus- pend production of new models for 1922 if their facilities-especially machine toolS-are needed to make aircraft spokesman for the motor car makers said. These facilities were suggested as the most readily obtainable in the urgent program to boom warplane output in the next thre months.
 Strategy of War
 "The only basis for the current concern about production" Purvis said, "is that the strategy of war is dominated by the supply of weap- ons. Six or nine months from now we will realize the importance of utilizing these few weeks-the next 50 to 90 days.
 Every time there are more Wea- pons available in the coffers of the Democratic nations, the effect is positive for us and negative for the Germans"
 . What Britain wants from Amer ica, Purvis said, is ''an enthusiastic approach to production"
 "Everything read would indicate to me that great enthusiasm is growing here,' he said. I know of no way to end this war than by the realization by Germany, and I sup pose Italy should be mentioned here, of the increasing production in both England and North Amer ica. The rapidly increasing produc- tion of weapons in the United States is thI keynote of stopping this war"
 PuTvis flies to Montreal this af- ternSon to spend Christmas with his family.
 English Boston Celebrates
 Boston, Lincolnshire, England, Dec. "A = (U.P) This little old English town defied wartime con- ditions today to greet the holiday season with true Christmas spirit.
 Tbe market place was thronged on Monday and many country peo- pie sought last-minute Christmas bargains. Window displays in tne stores were less pretentious than usual but there were Christmas gifts and decorations with emphasis on making the holiday as pleasant as possible for men in the armed forces and for children.
 Since Boston has been contribut- ing an average of about $65,O00 weekly to war savings funds 1t might be imagined that ChristmaT spending would be greatly reduced but shopkeepers said that trade. has been comparatively good and that Christmas stockings would be well filled.
 Housewives had to forego the tra- ditional turkey dinner for Christmas 1n most instances and goose, too, is high priced, so that the holiday dinner probably will be simpler than usual for most families.
 In sacred Boston Stump (the tower of the parish church) which was restored with American aid, there will be the traditional cere- monies.
 Many gift packages have been prepared for men in the service and a member of service men are re- turning on Christmas leave.
 Many customary Christmas activ- 1ties have been curtailed but carol singers plan to go out as usual and there will be holiday football game.
 A large number of weddings are scheduled for the holidays, chiefly with scauiers as bridegrooms.
 No Joy Is Here
 A South Coast Town, England, Dec. 24 - (UP0 - Many persons in this community, particularly workers. will spend Christmas with