Evening star., 1940-06-17
Roosevelt
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vessels. The aviation expansion bill
authorizes spending of specific sums
at 20 air bases, and also permits
spending of $4,000, 900 for building
and improving reserve and auxiliary
bases.
The Conference Announcement.
Declining amplification, Mr.. Early
announced todays economic con-
ference as follows:
There will be held this after
noon a meeting of the Secretaries
OF State, Treasury. Agriculture and
Commerce in order to conclude the
study of the research which has
been urgently undertaken during
recent months into the most ef-
fective manner of disposing profit
ably of export surpluses in the
Western Hemisphere.
This study will include the in
vestigation of the problem as it
affects the American republics as
well as such other countries as may
be confronting similar situation
and as may desire to join with the
American nations In an eff1cacious
solution Of it.
"The final study in the form of
report, with recommendations will
be submitted at once to the Presi-
dent.
If it is approved by the President,
the report will be transmitted to the
other American governments in
order that the Government of the
United States may have the benefit
OF their views and their suggestions"
Penetration Guarded Against.
With economic penetration of the
Americas expected to be the first
aggressive move of the totalitarian
states when and if they are victori-
GUS in Europe, it is believed without
a doubt that today's conference will
be directed at the formation of q
defensive commercial front, broad
ened by possible cooperation from
nom American nations.
The British French blockade of
the past eight months has shut off
hitherto extensive trade between
Germany and the southern Ameri-
can republics, leaving the latter with
great stores of surplus exportable
raw materials. While a natural
market for much of these surpluses
does not exist in the United States,
this country in fact having excess
amounts of several important COM
modities, 1t is believed that the
administration will seek to keep the
bulk of this trade inside the hemi-
sphere by means of price conces-
sions, subsidies, or other inter-
American cooperative devices.
AS his first appointment this
morning, the Chief Executive saw
the big four legislative leaders-Vice
President Garner. Speaker Bank
head, Senate Majority Leader Bark
ley and House Majority Leader
Rayburn.
AS they left the White House
Senator Barkley said he expected
Congress to complete action this
week on defense legislation, but
that no plans have yet been made
concerning adjournment or recess
over the political conventions. He
said the European situation was
discussed, but the President had
not mentioned today's economic
conference.
Later Mr.. Roosevelt was to see
Chairman Norman H. Davis of the
American Red Cross. In this con-
nection, Mr.. Early told his press
conference that word of the pending
congressional appropriation of $50
100000 for Red Cross refugee relief
had unfortunately resulted in a
decline of private contributions to
the organization. Mr.. Early ex-
planned further that there is to be
no overlapping in the work con-
templated under the Federal ap-
preparation and that of the Red
Cross own private funds. Actually,
he said, the Red Cross more than
ever needs generous response to its
appeal for $20,000,000.
Among others scheduled to see the
President during the day were Will
liam M. Leiserson of the National
Labor Relations Board and James
F. Forestal Of Dillon, Read g. Co.
1t was believed that Mr.. Leiserson
was coming to the White House to
discuss pending proposals for
amendment of the National Labor
Relations Act. Mr.. Farestal has been
mentioned for appointment as ad-
miniStrative assistant tn the PreSi.
dent.