Evening star., 1940-06-28
Further Defense
Moves Indicated
By Roosevelt
Muss-Production
MuterieI Contracts
May Be Stressed
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

BY JOHN T.. HENRY.
Declaring himself "too busy" to
discuss politics, President Roose-
velt today disclosed several further
steps in mobilizing the Nation for
defense.
Announced at his press confer
ence were the following:
l. The indication that a further
defense program NAV be laid before
the present session of Congress, with
emphasis probably on authorization
requests for the letting of mass
production materiel contracts.
The Chief Executive pointed out
to his conference that ability Of the
Government to let large contracts
would enable industry to plan its
expansion more effectively and
might we'll prove cheaper in the
long run to the purchaser He in
dicated that the goal of fleet of
$4,000 warplanes Is a foremost OBJ
jective in obtaining further con-
gressional support.
He said he had no idea at this
time of how much might be in
volved financially.
Plans for Boost Reported.
1t had previously been reported
that Mr.. Roosevelt intended to seek
an immense boost in the defense
program that would more than dou-
BILE the S5,082. 10000 already appro-
priated and shatter the arms bill
of the peak World War year.
2. Appointment of Donald M. Mel
son, head of the Procurement Divi-
sion of the Treasury Department,
as co-ordinator of all national de-
fense purchasing.
3. Disclosure that the President
was asking Daniel J. Tobin, presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Team
sters and vice president of the
American Federation of Labor, to
become an administrative assistant.
Mr.. Roosevelt said Mr.. Tobin would
come to Washington Sunday to dis
cuss the proposal. The President
said he had no precise duties
planned as yet, if Mr.. Tobin ac-
cepts, but that the union leader
would be general handy man.
4. appointment of James v. For
restal, recently named administra-
tive assistant, to be liaison man for
the pending all-American economic
program.
Progress Disclosed.
With regard to this program, Mr..
Roosevelt said he conferred yester-
day with the four cabinet officers
handling the matter. and that ap-
preciable progress is being made.
General interest already has been
noted on the part of other republics
OF the Western Hemisphere, he said.
The Presidents appointment of
Mr.. Nelson to supervise defense pur-
chasing was made on recommended
ton of the National Defense Com
mission and a special group which
has been studying the procurement
problem. Mr.. Nelson, former ex-
ecutive of Sears, Roebuck & Co.,
recently was made procurement di-
rector.
A formal announcement of the
Nelson appointment defined his du-
ties as follows:
Determination of the most eco
nomical and effective methods for
purchasing items needed by several
agencies and concentration of the
purchasing responsibility in the
single agency best qualified. 1t is to
be provided, however, that the War
and Navy departments shall retain
full authority for making defense
purchases, subject to coordination
for establishing priorities. The col
lection of maintenance of statistics
and specifications for agency pur-
chasing. Determination of immedi-
ate material requirements and esti-
mates of future requirements.
Studies to Be Made.
1t was also provided that studies
be made toward the possibility of
new legislation or executive action
relative to simplifying Government
purchasing methods and with re-
gard to granting of priority for de-
fense orders over private contractural
obligations.
The Presidents attention was
called to the fact that in proclaim
ing yesterday that the Government
might hold any foreign vessels in
American ports it was said he acted
under a statute which said the
President could act when a state
of national emergency prevailed.
Reporters inquired whether an ac-
tual state of emergency had been
declared or whether a limited state
was in effect.
The Chief Executive referred the
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