Evening star., 1940-05-16

For the authorizations, Mr..
Roosevelt suggested that the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps be
permitted to make contract obli-
cations in the sum of $186, ,000,-
600. He further asked that the
President be permitted to make
contract obligations for the re-
manning 100000 900 in author
izations.
Our ideal" Mr.. Roosevelt told
the solemn legislators, "our objective
Is still peace-peace at home and
peace abroad. Nevertheless, We
stand ready not only to spend mill
lions for defense, but to give our
service and even our lives for the
maintenance Of our American lib
critics."
Four Purposes Of Fund.
In explanation Of his request for
the immediate appropriations, the
President gave the following -four
primary purposes:
First, to procure essential equip
ment for - hrger and thoroughly
rounded out army"
Second, to replace or modernize all
old Army and Navy equipment.
Third, to increase production IA
cilities of defense equipment. I'VE
require the ability to turn out
quickly infinitely greater supplies"
he said.
Fourth, to put on q 24-hour basis
all new and existing Army and
Navy contracts.
Referring to his request that an
immediate appropriation of $780,
0O0,O00 and an authorization Of
another 100000 600 be placed at
his own disposal, Mr.. Roosevelt said
it is his belief that the two funds
will be used principally for the in
crease Of production of airplanes,
anti-aircraft guns and the training
Of additional personnel for the
weapons"
And may I say" the President
spoke slowly in departure from his
prepared text, that I hope there
will be speed in giving me the ap-
propriations.
Mr.. Roosevelt made no mention
Of how the proposed new expendi-
lures should be financed. A spe-
cial defense tax or raising the stat
utory Federal debt limit to permit
new borrowing have been discussed
In other quarters, but the President
told q press conference Tuesday
that he considered the financing
problem minor one.
Possibility Of Attack.
Leading up to his detailed figures,
the President spoke grimly of the
manner in which total war has come
70 other parts Of the world. Pointed
ly, he emphasized the lightning
rapidity with which aggression can
be launched and reminded the Con-
gress that aerial warfare brings the
continental United States within
only few hours Of possible enemy
jumping-oh places. Specifically, he
mentioned the closeness by air of
Greenland, Of the Azores, Of Ber-
muda. Of the outer West Indies, Of
Western Africa and Of the islands Of
the Southern Pacific.
Surely" he challenged, "the de-
velopments Of the past few weeks
have made 1t clear TO all of our
citizens that the possibility Of attack
on vital American zones ought to
make 1t essential that we have the
physical, the ready ability to meet
those attacks and to prevent them
from reaching their objectives.
This means military implements
mot on paper-which are ready
and available It means also
that facilities for production must
be ready to turn out munitions and
equipment at top speed.
mo Impresnable Fortifcations.y
I'VE have had the lesson before
US over and over again-nations
that were not ready and were unable
to get ready found themselves over.
run by the enemy. So-called i'm.
pregnable fortifcations no longer
exist"
More than ever" Mr.. Roosevelt
(see ROOSEVELT, Page A-l0.) =