The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1941-10-16
Neutrality Law Modification Asked

Stating I'VE will not let Hitler
prescribe the waters of the world on
which our ships may travel > the
President asked Congress to repeal
Section 6 of the Neutrality Act
er phases of the law. The President
which prohibits arming of American
merchant ships and to examine 9TH
said this action sis a matter OF I'M
mediate necessity and extreme ur-
The President said conditions
have so changed since enactment OF
the law. it is no longer truly a neu-
trality measure. He said "it is time
for this country to stop playing into
Hitler's hands and to unshackle our
swn." He said the U. S. should not
~be forced to masquerade Ameri-
ean-owned ships behind the flags OF
our sister Republics"
"Most of the vital goods authoriz-
ed by the Congress are being de-
Iivered," Mr.. Roosevelt said. "Yet
many of them are being sunk; and
As we approach full production re-
curing the use gilmore ships now
being built it will be increasingly
necessary to deliver American goods
under the American flag"
Aid to Britain and Russia
The American Red Cross instruct
ed the British Red Cross to forward
immediately. to Russia 500 tons OF
medical supplies. The American Red
Cross will send replacement supplies
to England.
Retail food prices continued to
rise between mid-August and mid
September, increasing 90 percent
to reach the highest level since
January, 1881, the Labor Depart
ment reported. Consumer Commits
sioner Elliott reported food prices
have risen 20 percent since the war
began as compared to 1874 percent
in the comparable World War period
and farm products hav erisen ADJ
percent as contrasted to 1875 percent
during the last war.
Price Administrator Henderson,
speaking in support of the pending
price regulating legislation, said
~even more frightening than the pre-
sent level of price advances is the
fact that these advances have been
gathering momentum since the early
months of the year." He said the
cost of living last August was z IL
percent higher than two years ago.
Since March alone, he said, the cost
of living is up 5 percent.
Priorities
The Supply Priorities and Alloca-
ton Board ruled that no new public
or private construction can be start
ed. unless it is essential for defense
OF the health and safety of the peo-
pie on does not involve use of strate--
gic. materials The ruling applies to
Federal State and local government
buildings, roads and highways, river
and harbor improvements, residen-
tiai building and all commercial
building. Efforts will be made, how
ever, to aid completion of construc-
tion already substantially finished.
TIE SPABi also voted to permit
building of 22S commercial aircraft
with the reservation that Army can
take them if they are needed.
Physical Rehabilitatio On for
Seleetees
The President announced plans to !
salvage" 100000 of the 1000. 900
selectiye service registrants who have
been rejected for health reasons. He
also announced he would initiate y
long-range program Of Federal, State
and local cooperation to remedy con
aitions which have resulted in so
percent of men of army age being
physically unfit for military service.
The Federal Government would pay
Ter medical and dental treatment of )
those men certified by local boards
~ subject to health improvement.
SAIsctive Service announced that
starting January l all registrants will
Be given only n physical exam
BY the Army. At present registrants
are examined by local board doctors
and then by Army physicians and
cannot telr\ until the final exam if
they will be accepted.
Air
OPM announced 1914 military
aircraft were delivered during Sep
tember-a new monthly record. The
Var Department announced it will
allow Army aviation cadets 80 hours
for flight training prior to enlist
ment - thereby cutting in half the
elyfng time necessary in the Army to
~win6wings. Mimic air raids began a.
long the East coast from Boston to
Savannah to test ability Of civilian
spoilers and their communication
system.
Nursing
The Red Cross announced a pro-
gram to instruct 100000 American
housewives in home nursing in the
next year. Courses will take six
weeks of class work and practical ex-