Evening star., 1941-02-05
Debate
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DeDQte
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| the war zones in American flag
ships. but on the other hand, there
was nothing which forbade it.
Oppose Fixed Limit.
He was asked about proposed
ceiling" on the amount of expendi-
lures under the bill.
My personal opinion" he said,
| "is that no one knows what the
cost will be under this bill. or what
kind of trade or exchange will be
made with the British
He added he was not inclined to
/ place in the bill a specific amount.
He pointed out that the point was
/ raised in some quarters that if
/ $4,000 10000 or $4,000 900 900 limit
were fixed. the criticism would be
made that the President had been
given BLACK check" and would
eXpend the total sum. He insisted
that Congress would. through the
power of appropriation. still retain
hold of the purse strings.
The Speaker also was asked if
under the provisions of the bill as it
now stands the President could
ship IT'S guns from an American
arsenal to the British. He replied
that it could be done. but that he
did not believe the President would
transfer any war materials from
this country which were needed for
defense.
Majority Leader Mccormack sug-
geSted that no transfer of war ma
terialS whatever would be made
without the Presidents having ar
ranged proper trade or exchange.
General Debate Ends Tonight.
Meanwhile, the House today con-
tinued its debate of the measure,
which is considered one Of the most
vital proposals that has been sub
mltted TO Congress for many years.
General debate on the bill Will close
tonight. Tomorrow the bill will be
taken up under the five-minute rule
for consideration. Members will
Ai'' OPkpl lbllllN W plICI dIlltHu-
mentS they desire. and the indica-
tionS are many will be offered.
A minority of the Foreign Affairs
Committee has prepared a substitute
bill which il will seek to have
adopted, but for which there seems
no chance of success.
Committee Chairman Bloom said
tho
suggested from the floor in the de-
bate so far were taken up for con-
slderation AT today'S meeting of the
Democratic members of the commit
Tee, but that no decision had been
made
Another meeting will be held to-
morrow morning he said.
1t is expected that the views of the
President will be sought and OBJ
tanned on the matter of further
amendment, if that has not already
been done.
The House agreed to meet an hour
earher-at II a.m.-tomorrow and
Friday. in order to expedite action
on the lease-lend bill.
Mr.. Mccormack. replying 10 a
question by Representative Fish. Re-
publican, of New York. said the
House would meet Saturday if the
bill IS not disposed of by FRIDAY
night.
Mr.. Mccormack also told the
House that on Monday it was
planned to call up the bill extending
the national debt limit to SOS 600
100000. He said it was hoped action
could be had on the bill before ad-
Journment Monday.
Representative Gibson. Democrat.
OF Virginia opened the debate today
in support of the bill.
No one is more opposed to the
delegation of powers than l." he
said. But We are facing an emer-
gency today. If We attempted to
have Congress handle the admin
lstration of this national defense
proposal we would find ourselves
back in the days of Nero. Ham
Fish would fiddle while the con-
migration ragged"
Mr.. Gibson said President Roose-
welt had proved himself a great
leader and the American people
have confidence in him. In support
OF the proposals in the bill granting
wide powers to the Chief Executive.
he pointed out that powers just as
great had been given other Presi-
dents in past emergencies.
Representative Izac, of California.
supporting the bill. too. urged his
colleagues to remember that the
British feet has been in the Atlantic
Ocean since the proclamation of the
Monroe Doctrine without any at
tack ever being made on this coun-
try.