Evening star., 1941-01-21
Problem Is Still
In Study Stage,
Roosevelt Says
Executive DEGREES
Are Ready to Cover
Any Emergency
Earlier Story on Page A-20
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

Executive orders covering all
possible contingencies have been
drafted for instant application,
President Roosevelt disclosed this
afternoon to his press conference.
Rejecting the determination of
the Government to be prepared for
any contingency arising out of the
wars OF the world. the President
SAID that the question of freezing
all assets of all foreign governments
IN this country is one of the manv
Things being studied and for which
preparation has been made in the
form OF drafting necessary orders.
The Chief Executive added how
ever, that as many as so of these
emergency DEGREES are on hand and
that the inclusion of one pertaining
to further impounding of foreign
assets should not be considered Of
peculiar significance. Actually. he
went on, this problem is still in what
he called the study stage.
Control Over All Is Studied.
Thus far. the government has
frozen the American assets of coun-
tries which have been occupied by
force by the German armies. Spec
ulation in the last few davs has
centered on the possibility imposing
control over all foreign owned
properties here, with the further
expectation that the British would
be permitted relatively free access
to its American assets.
During questioning about progress
of the pending lease-lend legisla-
ton. the President took occasion
to repeat his remarks of a previous
press conference that the idea Of
American conveying of cargo ships
into hostile waters has not been
considered in any fashion at all.
The attitude of the administra-
ton on this issue. it is understood,
is that the conveying of ships into
a hostile zone is apt to precipitate
shooting-a condition described by
one spokesman as CLOSE to war"
Old Mother Hubbard Stuff.
To the alternative suggestion that
American conveys accompany mer-
chant vessels to a neutral point,
such as Iceland, the President today
remarked that that is a new idea
to him.
He then said again, as he did a
week ago. that discussion of such
possible actions is Old Mother Hub
bard stuff.
Asked about the suggestion of
Gov. Stassen of Minnesota that a
congressional group share authority
with the President under the lease
lend legislation, Mr.. Roosevelt re-
ferred the questioner to the Con-
stitution. On previous occasions he
has cited then constitutional pro-
hlbltlonS against delegation of exec
utive authority.
Mr.. Roosevelt said he might get
around tomorrow to talking to some
body about the appointment of a
new Ambassador to Great Britain.
The resignation of Joseph P. Ken
nedy has been before the Chief
Executive for several weeks and
current rumors as TO the identity
Of a successor have centered princi-
pallv on John G. Winant. former
Governor of New Hampshire.
Not Spoken to Anyone.
The President told his conference,
however, that he had not yet spoken
to anybody about the matter. Some
time ago he said that he had chosen
a man but had not even revealed to
the Selectee his decision.
Earlier today Stephen T. Early.
press relations secretary, had said
he had no knowledge of Mr.. Win
ants possible appointment. At
Mr. RooSevelt's conference. Mr..
Early informed the President that
the New Hampshire man had tele-
phoned the White House today to
ask about the reports of his selec-
ton
Mr.. Roosevelt also said he had
made no plans for selection of a
Minister to Great Britain as further
rumored. Advance speculation in
this regard has been that Averill
Hartman, business executive. might
be named to this post as an aide to
the new Ambassador