Evening star., 1941-02-23

almost in detail the activities of the
British and every other nation en-
gagged in war with Germany.
Capper Charges Dictatorship"
The proponents of the bill have
refused to limit his discretion as to
the nations which may be aided
He will have power to plunge into
the war millions of people now at
peace"
Senator Capper declared that the
legislation would give the PreSi-
dent complete control over domes-
tic economy, that it would lead to-
ward war and toward the creation
of a dictatorship in America.
This bill delegates to one man,
the President, what amounts to full
control of the industrial life Of the
United States, down to the small
est factory" he asserted.
During his talk Senator Taft de-
clared that under the bill the
President could send every battle
ship. every cruiser and every de-
stroyer in the United States Navy
to Britain"
He said that while the bill linn
tied to 3O0000,0O0 the value OF
existing military equipment which
the President could transfer to an
othe rcountry the Chief Executive
could place any value he wished
on the equipment transferred.
Debate Gets Hot.
Senator Wheeler, agreeing, de-
clared that the President could
value a slOO,OOO,OOO battleship at 81
and nothing could be done about It"
Senator George asserted that Sen
ator Tafe was not making fair ar
gument," and Senator Barkley de-
clared that Senator Taft was as
Stunning that the President would do
"a silly thing"
Senator Chandler, Democrat, OF
Kentucky asked why Senator Taft
favored British aid and then sought
to limit it to $2000,000000.
DO you favor aid short of help?"
Senator Chandler asked.
Replying in the negative, Sem
ator Taft said he had been unable
to get ANY estimate on what
British aid would cost. He added
that he was willing to increase his
total for a proposed loan if any one
could show need for larger
amount.
Senator Chandler asked il Sem
ator Taft actually feared" that the
and Army and Navy chiefs
would give away vital defense equip
ment.
I'm afraid I'll have to say yes"
Taft said. "All the judg-
ment is on the side of England"
Wheeler Opposes Longer Hours.
When Senator Barkley suggested
he Senate lengthen its work day
his week to complete the bill, Sem
ator Wheeler interrupted to declare
there won't be any progress made
oy trying to force us into extreme
long hours" He said this is bill of
tremendous importance to 100000
300 people and that he, for one,
would stand on his feet night and
day if necessary to prevent anyone
from being cut off on debate.
I think the country and the SEN
ator will agree that no effort has
been made here to shut anybody off,
Senator Barkley replied, but added
there is no reasonable excuse why
any Senator who has opinions to
express on this bill cannot deliver
them in the early part of this week"
The majority leader said he
thought it was the duty of Senators
to devote their time and presence
to the Senate while it is consider
ing important legislation.
Barkley Raps Absentees.
81 don't think any Senator has a
right to ask the Senate to postpone
the bill in order that he may run
around the country and make
speeches to other people who do not
have to vote on it," Senator Barley
continued.
Senator Clark joined in to suggest
that the majority leader knew that
the required tWo-thirdS vote could
not be obtained to apply the Senate
Cloture rule, limiting speeches to one
hour, but that lengthening hours by
vote was another form of
pressure
When Senator Wheeler pointed
out that Senators do not like to
begin their speeches late in the
day, and that they must have time
to attend to their Office work in
addition to Senate debate, Majority
Leader Barkley suggested that, "of
course, we are all more or less
prima donnas here; I am one my
self"
Headlines Seeking" Charged.
The Senate leader said he realized
Senators do not like to begin their
speeches at times when they would
mot make the headlines" or when
most Senators are at lunch, but he
did not see how that could be cor
rected by the Senate
The opposition Senators said there
was no desire to drag out considera-
ton of the bill after all Senators
have had adequate time to present
their views.
In radio address, Senator Mead
Democrat, of New York declared
that the lease-lend legislation
should be considered as fundamen-
tally a part of our national defense
program"
1--WE cannot afford to be lulled into
a false sense of national safety be-
cause our skies are not f1ecked with
raiding bombers nor our terrain in
tested with hostile invaders" Sem
ator Mead declared.
He said that the pending legisla-
ton lis in no sense a declaration
aF L,,t