Evening star., 1941-02-05
Administration
May Ba|k at
Ceiling onHeIp
House Committee
Sets Conference
For Tomorrow
Earlier Story on Page AID
Bv GOULD LINCOLN.

bN LENSoL-N-
A tug of war over proposals 10
place limitations on the amount of
money which may be expended
under the terms of the British-aid
bill and the size of future commit
ments loomed today as the House
prepared to close general debate on
the measure itself.
Whether the administration forces
will agree TO such amendments was
not finally determined. However,
the indications was that they would
not agree to fixing an arbitrary
limit on the amount which the
President could expend.
The administrations contention
is that the pending bill is not an sp-
preparation bill and that before any
money can be expended Congress
itself must make the appropriation
Supporters of the plan to place a
ceiling in the bill maintain that
under the lease-lend program the
President would be able to use anv
part of the $4,000 000. 900 program
for the country's defense for aid TO
Britain and other democracies
They even contend that he might
use nearly all of this money.
Time Limit Expected.
II appeared virtually assured that
an amendment would be accepted by
the administration forces limiting
the time for future commitments
under the bill. perhaps TO two years.
Efforts were under way TO get, if
possible. an agreement on an amend
ment fixing the amount authorized
TO be expended for aid to the de-
mocracie5 under the bill A STUN
bling block. it was said. is the size
of the authorization Some of the
Republicans are reported TO be hold
/ ing out for S2000,000 900 limit as
provided in their substitute bill. Ad-
ministration leaders do not believe
that is sufficiently large. in view of
the uncertainties of the future.
May Support Amended Bill.
Representative Andrews, of New
York. ranking Republican member
of the Military Affairs Committee
told the House that Il may vote for
this bill if reasonable amendments
are adopted
The New York member said that
if unity was to be had in the House
on this measure, unity much de-
sired, there should be some give
on the part of the President.
Why not put some limitation on
the expenditures which may be made
under this bill?" he demanded. Il
venture to say that a majority of
the Democratic members would well
come such an amendment. And I
say further that it would be smart
politics for the President to go
along with them
! Mccormack Asks Quick Passage.
Representative Mccormack, the
House majority leader, appealed for
/ quick passage of the bill.
'Inactlon is an open invitation to
an attack later. either from an eco
nomic or a military angle, or through
a combination of both" he declared.
What do you think Nazi Ger
many and army Japan
will do to the United States in case
of an axis victory?' he asked his
| colleagues
Every person in his own mind
and heart feels and knows that a
victorious axis will demand their
tribute of us in some way, and un-
like the crude method of the pirates
of the Barbary Coast of old. they
will exact tribute in brutal, vicious,
ruthless modern manner"
Mr.. Mccormack was asked by
Representative Casey. Republican.
of South Dakota. if he believed that
Congress would retain control over
the situation so far as the expendi-
ture of money is concerned. Mr..
Mccormack replied that Congress
would retain 95 per cent jurisdic-
ton"
He argued that the President
(See DEBATE. Page X-2D