The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-01-30


Pals, Dividend Checks and Tax
Bills of Every Individual. National
and International Problems Insep-
arabic from Local Welfare.
A senator or representative of half
a century ago, would shake his head
in amazement at the congresses of
recent years. Party lines, which once
were almost impregnable, have crack
ed time and again. And now, with
the introduction of the Presidents
"all out for England bill, they seem
to have broken wide open.
Interesting commentary on this is
found in the fact that the bill has
been endorsed by Republican stand
ard-bearer Wendell Willkie, with GER
tain reservations-and that the prin-
cipal Senate opposition to it is being
led by Democrat, Senator Wheeler
of Montana.
Congressional reception of the bill
ran the gamut of extremes. On one
side, for instance, doughty Senator
Johnson of California, veteran of
many an historic debate, described it
as "monstrous," and said that cts
up to Congress now to determine
whether our government shall be as
ordained or become a member of the
totalitarian states" And on the other
side, Senator Thomas of Utah, strong
ly interventionist, complained that the
bill "is not as far-reaching as world
events warrant. The President should
have the power to send American
ships with supplies into the combat
zones"
1t is obvious that the real fight on
this bill will take place in the Senate
opposition in the House is now al
most at it's all-time low in effective
ness. A number of senators who have
followed the Presidents foreign policy
so far, were rather stunned by the
sweeping terms in which the measure
is framed. First shock was the pro-
vision whereby this country, by execu-
tive order, could repair British war
ships in our naval yards. That, ac-
cording to lawyers, would amount to
utter disregard of international law
as it applies to neutrals, and would
amount to an act of war. Even so,
many congressman now regard that
as merely detail-as just one more
step in program based on the belief
that the survival and ultimate victory
of England, and the little countries
which are aiding her, is absolutely
vital to this country's security. Bigger
fight may come over the clause which
authorizes the President to "promul-
gate such rules and regulations as
may be necessary to carry out the pro-
visions of this act" That is obviously
blanket authority,
The debate o..:-s-.ssa2s bill, and other
Iaid-England measures, is not between
those who are for Britain on the one
hand, and those who are opposed to or
cool to Englands cause, on the other
The Congress, like the American peo-
pie, is close to 100 per cent pro-
English. But there are many who feel
lit unwise to give any man unlimited
powers, on the grounds that this
might lead to one-man government,
which is another word for dictotor-
ship. There are others who feel that
this is lesser risk than having Con-
gress carry on long debates every
time some new step to help England
seems necessary or advisable.
The bill will apparently be fought
to a finish, with neither side disposed
to give quarter. 1ntimations came
from the White House a few days
after its introduction to the effect that
| the Administration would not oppose
some notifications. But Senator
Wheeler and his group said that they
were out to defeat the measure in
entirety.
Even so, prospects now seem high
| Iy favorable to its passing, with, per-
hapS, some stipulations to make it less
Of "blank check" measure. Wendell
| Willkie suggested that time clause
be inserted, under which the powers
would be granted for fixed and limit
ed term so that on some definite fu-
turc date Congress would automatical-
ly review the bill again, and either
continue or revoke it. Many favor
this.
No one need wonder any longer
about this country's neutrality. 1t
doesn't exist. We are a non-belliger-
ent participant in the war Our re-
lationship to England is about like
that Of Italy to Germany before Mus
solini decided to go all the way. Re-
cent polls indicate that the American
public is in favor of our role as we
are playing it now.
In military circles, the feeling that
| Hitler will soon make his supreme