Evening star., 1941-01-16

tages Of giving the Executive broad
powers to coordinate the work OF
filing the defense needs of both the
United States and Britain.
At the outset, he emphasized how
much more actute Is the present
emergency than the defense prob
lem that confronted the Nation in
1917. Then, he said, the Allies held
a stable line in France, and Italy
and Japan were arrayed against
Germany. At that time, he con-
tinued, munitions plants were so
abundant in France and Britain
that they were able to supply the
United States, while today this
country must prepare its defense in
consideration of Britain's needs.
The essence of the pending bill,
ne explained, is that the United
States shall become virtually the
sole purchasing unit for all war ma
terials manufactured in this coun-
try.
Leaves Control With U. S.
In listing the advantages of such
centralized control and discretion
airy power, Mr.. Stimson made these
points:
End the competition of many
different purchasing agencies; en-
able manufacturers to carry on all
dealings with one purchaser; make
possible well-ordered system of
letting contracts; permit full utiliza-
ton of the Governments own
arsenals and yards, as we'll as private
plants.
Finally, and perhaps most i'm
portant of all" he continued, is
the degree of control which, under
the plan described above, it is pos
sible to retain in the hands of this
Government with respect to the dis
tribution of the munitions Of de-
fense. Not only will this bill permit
the authority of our Government
to be placed behind the solution of
the problems of overall defense
production, but it likewise enables
us to control the distribution of the
products of this program when they
are ready for delivery"
Far from being surrender OF
our rights to other interests,
however worthy" he added, "the
provisions of this bill make it pos
sible to place in American hands
this important power and respon-
sibility."
Won't Give Hitler Information.
In questioning Secretary Stimson,
Mr.. Fish asked whether the War
Department has given away any de-
fense material so far.
Not that l am aware Of an
swered Mr.. Stimson. unless it was
obsolete, and not without compensa-
ton
Have you transferred any anti
aircraft guns?" asked Mr.. Fish.
No" replied Mr.. Stimson, add
ing that I'VE have so few I think
I would know about that"
How many anti-aircraft guns
have we now?" asked Mr.. Fish.
Mr.. Stimson replied that he would
not care to give that information
except in executive session.
Have any of our bomb sights been
given or sold?" persisted Mr.. Fish.
Rising to emphasize his statement
Mr.. Stimson declined to answer the
question. II do not wish to become
a voluntary channel to give Mr.. Hit
ler information, he said.
Fish Charges Defense Lag.
''I will be glad to give any in
formation about our national de-
fense to any members of Congress.
Mr.. Stimson added that meetings
at the War Department have been
arranged and invitations have beer
extended to members of Congress
most interested so that they obtain
all information about the national
| defenseS.
Mr.. Fish asked Mr.. Stimson if II
were not true that Congress had
not made all appropriations request
ed for the War Department. Mr.
Stimson replied that was true, but
that members of Congress are in
clined to think that when appropria-
tions are made on Monday the
weapons for which they are made
will be delivered on Tuesday.
Mr.. Fish asked if there had not