Evening star., 1940-05-03
Roosevelt Puts
Defense Funds
up TO Congress
Won't Oppose Boost
In Appropriations,
Says President

Declaring that American defense
experts are making careful study
Of all mechanical developments in
Europe's war, President Roosevelt
told his press conference today that
If Congress felt more funds should
be appropriated for defense pur-
poses 1t would not encounter OBJ
lection from him. He made it clear,
however, that he will not ask for
more.
With approximately $4,000, ,0O0, 900
being appropriated for national de-
fense purposes this year, Mr.. Roose-
velt pointed out that this was a
larger amount than ever before.
Furthermore, he added, in many
respects we are already using our
supply facilities to their utmost and
immediate increase in funds avail
able would not be effective in in
creasing the actual manufacture or
production of materials.
Mr.. Roosevelts comments were In
response to questioning about Sec
retary of Navy Edison's statement
on Wednesday that there should be
material changes in the defensive
designs Of warships. An observer
at recent Pacific fleet maneuvers,
the Secretary reported that ships
can be severely damaged in their
vital topside and superstructure by
airplane attacks.
Defensive Weapons Always Develop.
Today Mr.. Roosevelt pointed out
that instruments of war are de-
veloped through systematic evolu-
tionary process. He recalled that
when ironclads first appeared in the
Civil War it was said that an un-
sinkable ship finally had been de-
veloped. Improvement Of guns and
development of the torpedo, how
ever, proved this belief fallacious.
Similarly, he continued, the de-
velopment of submarines by the
Germans in the early years Of the
World War threatened to wipe out
all effectiveness of surface vessels,
but defense weapons rapidly were
dveloped.
In the present conflict, he went
on, close observation has been di-
rected a. naval and aerial fighting
in the North Sea and Norwegian
sectors. So far, however, only scraps
Of really worthwhile information
have been obtained, with the final
import Of developments there not yet
clear. Defense experts of our Army,
Navy and Air Corps are trying ia
keep. up as fast as technical prob
lens permit, he said.
Air Arm Studied.
Asked whether Developments have
provided any answer to the contro-
versy over whether the battleship
or the airplane is supreme, Mr..
Roosevelt said that he believed
there is no real controversy. Each
is q weapon of war, he explained,
having its place in the whole cate
CORY of fighting instruments.
As this prompted direct question
on whether he believes we have
given due weight to our air defense
arm, Mr.. Roosevelt replied with an
unqualified "yes."
As examples of lessons which, he
said, already have been learned by
our defense authorities from the
European war, Mr.. Roosevelt said q
request already had been made to
him for several millions of dollars
worth of additional blankets for the
fighting forces. Another sample, he
said, is the probability that we may
have to turn to heavier anti-aircraft
guns than are now being provided,
since belligerents abroad apparently
are finding heavier caliber weapons
essential.
More Tin Would Help.
Asked if changes in designs Of
ships and equipment would create
material delay in our own defense
program, the President said he be-
lieved there would not be much time
lost.
He was asked also if we have an
adequate supply of tin, an important
wartime metal, and replied that
we have a goodly quantity, but that
it might be wise to obtain some
more.
The performance of aircraft in
the wartime laboratory Of Europe
has prompted Congress to re-ex-
(See DEFENSE, Page A-3.S
E:.1. HL->l A1:ll A.