Evening star., 1940-10-08
Roosevelt Faces
Busy Three Days
Before Next Trip
Key Defense Measures.
District Pension Bill
Await His Signature
By JOHN c. HENRY.

President Roosevelt returned to
Washington this morning for a
crowded three days of executive
business prior to setting off Thurs
day night for another defense tour
to politically important Pennsylvania
and Ohio.
Awaiting his immediate considera-
ton as he reached the White House
are the excess INSTRUMENTATION
tax bill, the final s1,482 900, 900 de-
fense appropriation measure, the
approval of several volumes of regu-
lations for the Selective Service
and Training Act, and the appoint
ment of a national director for the
conscription program. Pending, too,
is the pension bill for the District
Police and Fire Departments
Possibility of a decision on the
Labor Board craftsmanship vacant
for two months. appeared today as
the President arranged a meeting
With Board Member William M
Ieiserson. At the present time
only two members are serving on
the board, Mr. LeiSerSon and Ed
win S. Smith. and they are known
to be in disagreement on impor-
tant features of board policy.
The President also was receive
ing today all available reports on
the Far East situation and was
scheduled to discuss foreign de-
Velopments with Lord Lothian, the
British Ambassador.
Acknowledged to be one of the
major steps in the present defense
program Of the Nation, the excess
Instrumentation measure prob
ably will be the first of these mat
ters to be handled. Actually, the
legislation was sent to Mr.. Roose-
velt at Hyde Park over the week
end and was given some COZ, DOR
ton by him before his departure
for an upstate defense tour yes
terday noon.
May Delay Appointment.
The defense supply bill and the
draft regulations likewise are known
to be ready for presidential approval
and probably will be given final ap
proval today or tomorrow. As for
draft director, however. no certainty
exists and it has been rumored that
the appointment may be relayed in
definitely with Col. Lewis B. Her
shey carrying on as acting director.
Mr.. Roosevelt plans TO leave late
Thursday for an overnight trip to
Pittsburgh. After a hasty tWo-hour
inspection of this industrial area
the Chief Executive will move on
to Youngstown, Ohio, to visit steel
plants. On Saturday morning he
will be in Columbus and in the
there will be an important presi-
dental speech broadcast to all the
Americas from the presidential
train in Dayton. Advance reports
are to the effect it will be a progress
report on this country'S mObiliza-
ton on behalf of hemisphere Sc
curity.
Since Pennsylvania has 36 elec-
toral votes and Ohio 26, the polit-
iCal implications of Mr.. RooSevelts
appearances in these two States
cannot be overlooked
And yesterday, despite the os-
tensible mission Of viewing an Army
arsenal and a new national park,
there also were political implica-
tions.
Visits Key Counties.
Leaving his home at Hyde Park
shortly after noon, the President
rode his special train to Albany
and from there made a l00-mlle
swing into upstate counties which
may have an important effect in
determining where the Empire
States At electoral votes 60 in No
vember. The outward and imme-
diate reactions to his journey were
interesting ones.
At Watervllet, where he inspected
q Government arsenal, there was
an enthusiastic reception. The same
was noted as he passed through
Troy, Cohoes, Waterford, Schuyler
vile, Saratoga Springs and Me-
chanicsville-all important voting
centers for a part of the State which
might go either way in November.
Riding in an open car with Mrs.
Roosevelt and Gov. Herbert Lehman,
the President sighted nobody on
this line of travel-boWing Snll-
ing. waving almost constantly.
During the afternoon, however,
accompanying neWspapermen were
advised that the big show of the day
would be at Albany when Mr.. Roose-
welt returned in midevening to catch
his train. Scheduled Democratic
r.llies were timed to adjourn early
enough for the participants to reach
Union Station in advance OF the
partys standard bearer.
Two Defense Announcements.
Dining at the home of Earl Miller,
personnel director of the New York
State Department of Correction. Mr..
Roosevelt timed his own return to
fit the plans of the demonstration
arrangers.
The result was relative apathy
Riding through almost deserted
streets Of the city where he once
resided as Governor, the President
was greeted at the station by per-
SPECIAL NOTICES.