Evening star., 1940-02-23
BY J. A. O'LEARY.


Banking Committee failed today in
an effort to make American aid to
Finland more effective by advancing
$50, 900 900 for purchase of anything
the Firms need.
After recessing to answer q House
roll call, members Of the committee
decided to reassemble at 3 pm, with
indications they will abide by the
general scope Of the Senate
approved bill, which merely author
ICES the Export Import Bank to lend
Finland $4,000, 900 in addition to
credit already received, but only for
non-military supplies.
When the committee recessed it
was engaged in a parliamentary
tangle over whether to include an
amendment permitting the bank to
finance the export of commercial
airplanes.
A motion by Representative Miller,
Republican, of Connecticut to al
low shipment of commercial planes
was adopted by one-vote margin.
1t is understood Representative Pat
man, Democrat, of Texas moved a
moment later to reconsider the
question.
Point Of Order Intervenes.
Representative Wollcott, Repub-
lican, of Michigan intervened, how
vryith mint Nf ct
the Patman motion on the ground
the House had by that time con-
vened. Under the rules House COM
mittees are not authorized to act
on legislation while the House Is in
session, unless they have obtained
consent to do so.
This left the commercial aviation
amendment remaining to be settled
this afternoon. Shortly before noon
the House granted the committee
permission to reassemble and COM
plete action on the loan bill this
afternoon, while debate continues on
the floor on extension Of the Re-
ciprocal Trade Agreement Act.
It was reported that virtually all
the Democrats and two of the Re-
publicans present joined in blocking
the amendment that would have
given Finland an unrestricted loan
OF $50, 900 900. which would have
been in addition to the $4,000, 900
of credit advanced several months
ago.
The $4,000, 900 authorized by the
Senate bill is in addition to the pres
ent loan, but could be used only for
articles not listed as arms or imple-
ments of war in President Roose-
velt's neutrality proclamation.
Strong Support for Plan.
Airplanes of all kinds are on the
presidents prohibitive list, but the
amendment to exempt commercial
aircrafts gained strong support, af-
ter witnesses testified that belliger-
ent nations would not be interested
In buying such planes for military
purposes, because 1t would be too
costly to convert them into fighting
ships.
Exempting commercial airplanes,
on the other hand, would enable the
American aircraft industry to con-
tinue to compete with other nations
of the world in developing the ex-
port end Of this comparatively new
industry.
If the committee succeeds In COM
pleting action on the bill this after
noon, efforts probably will be made
to get it before the House early
next week.
Although public discussion of the
measure has centered around aid to
Finland in its struggle against Rus
sian invasion, the bill actually adds
500, 900 900 to the general lending
ability Of the xport-Import Bank,
parts Of which could be. used to
grant applications for credit from
Norway, Sweden, Denmark and pos
Sible loans to South America-all
intended to encourage the sale Of
surplus American farm products and
manufactured goods.