Evening star., 1941-03-21
Aid Bill Funds
Voted Quickly
By Senate Unit
House Committee
Urges a Billion More
For Army and Navy
BULLETIN.

BULLETIN.
The House gave unanimous
approval late today to a
S4,073,81O,074 appropriation for
the Army and Navy after re-
fusing to prohibit use of any
of it for conveying materials
to any foreign country. The
vote was 329 to 0, with one
answering present.
Earlier Stories on Page A-1)
A Senate Appropriations Sub
committee today quickly ap-
proved the S7,0O0,0O0,000 British
aid bill while the House Appro-
priations Committee recon-
mended a further expenditure of
$4,O73,0l0,074 for the Army and
Navy. The House defense bill
would provide funds for a new
plant capacity sufficient to sup
ply an army of 4,OOO,OO0 men on
combat status.
At the same time, informed sources
predicted an expansion of the pres
ent 200-ship emergency construction
program in order to meet Great
Britain's demands for tonnage The
first deliveries on the emergency
program, already begun, are expected
late this year. Seven new yards are
being built for the ship construction
on the Atlantic, Gulf and West
coasts
The House Appropriations Com
mittee heard from Maj. Gen. G. H.
Brett, chief of the Army Air Corps,
that the Army is planning a tre-
mendous expansion of its pilot-tra
ing program, stepping up the cur
rent plan for 10000 pilots a year to
a plan for 10000 pilots a year. Gen.
Brett said the revised program would
mean a large increase in the num-
Der of combat planes for the Army
but only a small increase in the
number OF training ships.
Nye's Motion Beaten.
The quick Senate subcommittee
action came after a motion by Sem
ator Nye, Republican of North Da-
kota to cut the $1,000, ,O00,0 900 British
aid sum in half failed by a voice
vote Immediate approval by the
full Senate Appropriations Commit
lnnKn1 at -
morrow and observers expect the
bill to reach the Senate floor Mon
day. Some think that it will pass
late the same day.
Although Subcommittee Chairman
Adams opposed the lease-lend au-
thorization program, he said today
he would present the appropriation
measure to the Senate. Several days
ago he indicated he was undecided
whether he would handle it.
All indications are it will win
Senate approval without amend
ment, in which case it would go di-
rect to the President without the
necessity of a conference with the
House, which passed the bill Tues.
day by an overwhelming majority.
The Senate subcommittee re-
quired less than two days to reach
conclusion. The hearings began
yesterday afternoon, with War and
Navy officials recounting the testi-
mony they gave the House commit
tee as to how this country expects
to extend material aid to Great
Britain and other countries fighting
the dictators.
Knudsen and Smith Appear.
The subcommittee resumed the
hearings this morning, with VIII.
liam S. Knudsen, director general
of production management. and
Budget Director Harold Smith as
the only additional witnesses.
Mr.. Knudson told newspapermen
that all of the 100000, 900 could
be spent within two years, and that
the entire program could be put
under contract within the coming
year.
Senator Nye announced he would
renew in the full committee his
motion to cut the appropriation in
half. He said Senator Brooks Re-
publican, of Illinois had indicated
he would vote for the motion. The
result, however, Is expected to be the
same as in the subcommittee today
Although he voted finally to re-
port the full amount out of the sub
committee, Senator Nye said he has
not decided whether he will vote
for or against passage of the bill in
the Senate.
"We are caught" said Senator
Nye, "in the mill of underwriting the
British war all over the world"
Questioned on Labor Problems.
1t is understood subcommittee
members questioned MIR. Knudsen
today regarding the labor problems
that have arisen in defense indus
tries. The director of production
management is undersood to have
taken the view that the situation is
being ironed out.
The $1,000, 900 900 bill will provide
full years work for approximately
$4,000 persons, or $780, 900 man
years of employment, Acting Com
missioner Of Labor Statistics A. F.
Hinrichs estimated.
Factories will be the principal en-
ployment gamers. According to es-
Inmates of the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics, the British-aid expenditures
will create 10000 man years of en-
ployment in the construction and
shipbuilding industries, factories and
industrial plants accounting for the
balance Of the increase In employ
ment.