Evening star., 1940-05-19
White. House, Capitol
De|uged With Mail
Urging Arms Fund
Flow Of Money Gifts for
Defense Also Received
At Executive Offices

Overwhelming approval for the
vast rearmament program proposed
by President Roosevelt was eX-
pressed yesterday in deluge of mail
to members of Congress, while the
White House received an unprece-
dented flow of money contributions
for the defense fund.
Less than per cent of the letters
and tyelegrams to the legislators
were reported to disagree with the
Presidents request for billion dol
lar defense fund.
Thousands of kilograms and let
tiers, containing pennies, dollar bills,
checks and money orders were re-
ceived by the White House, approx
ing the Presidents plans. BY actual
count only 65 fatty disapproved the
defense appropriations. Virtually
all came from single city and
were similarly worded.
The heavy mail, which Senate and
House postal employees said in
creased 25 per cent yesterday. sur,
prised" several Senators with the
unanimity of opinion expressed.
considerable opposition" was re-
ported, however, to giving the Presi-
dent blank check for any appro-
priations and authorizations.
Kansas Letters Approve.
From traditionally isolationist
Kansas, Senator Capper declared
that 100 or more letters received
showed his Republican section "re-
acted favorably."
"They are all with him on the
need for more national defense" he
said. "They all say that they are
opposed to going to war, but we
must protect ourselves from all dan
ger. Strangely enough, there were
no political aspects to their letters"
Mail from the West Coast is not
expected until Tuesday, but Senate
Minority Leader%McNary Of Oregon
had several kilograms urging him
to support rearmament do moth
ing that will drag us into war but
vote for more funds" said one.
Send planes to the allies immedi-
ately," build up our Navy" said
others.
Congressional clerks reported there
was no indication yet that the
communications were being spon-
sored by an organized group. In
the office of Senator Wagner, Dem
ocrat, of New York two kilograms
urged defeat of the money meas
ures in identical language.
One telegram declared, 1--WE en-
treat you to support the allies
completely" 1t was signed "A
mother and three sons of military
age"
Surprising" Ones From Ohio.
The Office of Senator Taft of Ohio,
candidate for the Republican presi-
Dental nomination, disclosed the
receipt of more than $50 letters
which were really surprising" AL
though all but a very few urged
more spending, there was some
difference in how 1t was to be
done. Typical was one which urged
Give the President everything we
got" Another declared: Prepare
for defense, but don't give the money
to the President" why not take
the money from the farm appro-
priations for national defense?" an
other said. One telegram declared,
bleakly: presidents speech Is un-
ethical"
The Office of Senator Vanden-
berg of Michigan, another Repub-
ncan candidate for the presidency.
reported quite few letters" had
been received, mostly in favor Of
preparedness" A large segment OBJ
jected to giving the President a
500 0,000, 900 blank check" and a
similar sum in authorizations, which
Mr.. Roosevelt indicated would be
spent in enlarging industrial plants.
Worried About Going to War.
Chairman Walsh of the Senate
Naval Affairs Committee and House
Minority Leader Martin-both from
Massachusetts, - received several
hundred more In support of the
measure. Many writer's, however,
appeared worried on the effect the
rearmament would have in keeping
us out of war"
Senator La Toilette, Progressive,
of isolationist Wisconsin, received
about 60 letters which clerks re-
ported were to / in favor of
more spending for defense.
Senator Norris, independent, of
Nebraska, who voted against United
States entry into the World War,
received a dozen kilograms. "All
seem to be for It," reported q clerk.
AS for the contributions, White
House officials plan to send them
with attached letters to the Treas
ury Department for disposition as
may be decided there. One ex.