Askov American., 1940-05-30
National defense
Plan OpposedBy
Women's $ League
Arousing of American Peo-
pie to Fear Hysteria is
Condemned.

An air-mail letter was sent re-
Gently by Mrs. Hugh B. Wilcox, state
president of the Women's Interna-
tional League for Peace and Freedom
to the President of the United States
and all Minnesota Representatives
and Senators in Congress protesting
the 1896, 100000 addition to the ma
tional defense budget which, it was
stated, twill even more than at pres
ent gear the American economy to the
war in Europe"
Creates Fear Hysteria.
While sharing the Presidents con-
cern for the effect on American pub
lie opinion of the ''blitzkrieg" in
Europe, the Peace League does mot,
however, draw the same conclusions
as to our national defense, or feel that
it is helpful toward just settlement
of the war in Europe to arouse the
American people to a fear hysteria.
In your emphasis on the weaknesses
of American defenSeS and in the tim
ing of your recommendation for a
tremendous increase in our national
defense budget to coincide with this
latest invasion of neutral country,
we feel you have indulged in an un-
warranted exploitation of the natural
fears of the people"
1t was further pointed out that the
President urged utmost speed upon
the Congress to rush through these
recommendations, fact whi c h
seemed to be san indication of the
breakdown of democratic processes,
the very democracy we are rushing
to preserve"
The letter hoped for "the wisdom
in American craftsmanship which
would see the constructive possibil-
tiles in peace without victory such
as President Wilson envisioned but
made impossible of fulfllment by
plunging the United States into the
first World war"
Keep Congress in Session.
At the state board meeting held
Tuesday in the Curtis hotel in Min
neapolis, resolutions were sent to the
entire Minnesota delegation in Con-
gress CD opposing "the weakening
of American neutrality whether by
repeating the embargo provisions in
the Neutrality act covering loans and
credits to belligerents, or by repeal
ing the johnson act which forbids
American loans to nations which have
defaulted on their war debt to u.s."
and urging 'the continued session of
Congress as the best bulwark of
democracy in time of crisis" The
Peace Leaguers told their representa-
tives that "we, as your constituents,
would like to impress you with our
belief that the best political campaign
you could make would be to remain
in session in Washington throughout
the summer to guard the neutrality
of the United States. Deeds speak
louder than words"
A resolution was sent to Senators
Shipstead and Lundeen urging sup
port of the Clark bill, S. R. 1856, au-
thorizing an investigation of activ-
tiles of agents of foreign nations af-
fecting the neutrality of the United
States. Belief was expressed that
'both the people and the members
of Congress are entitled to full in
formation concerning the current
whether openly ex-
pressed over the radio and in the
press, or through under-cover in
fluences upon government depart
ments and officials" In addition the
Senate was urged to "adopt a code
of standards to be followed by all
investigating committees embodying
instructions to observe
scrupulously the laws of this land and
to conduct hearings in a judicial at
Oppose Barden Bill.
Vigorous opposition to the Barden
bill, H. R. 7133, which proposes de-
structive amendments to the Fair
Labor Standards act was expressed
in another resolution to the Mime
sofa congressman. "We wish to add
our opposition to the active opposi-
ton of the House Labor committee
itself, under the Craftsmanship of Rep
resentative Mary Norton, and of the
A. F. of L., and the CIO, of the de-
partments of both Agriculture and
Labor, the National Consumers
League and all other groups interested
in protecting the workers of this
country.
''The immediate danger of the pas
sage of this bill may be past, but
we urge your continued watchfulness
until the adjournment of Congress-"
Chairmen Appointed.
The appointment of the following
chairmen of standing committees was