Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-20
Congress Due
For Shock on
British Aid
1912 Billion to Be Asked
in Ist Phase of Program
By PAUL MALLON

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The
w congressman who like
business men around the coun-
try-think the British aid plan
behind this lend-lease bill is a
matter of one. three or five bill
lion dollars at the most, are
going TO get the shock of their
lives when the lid is taken off
the arrangements now being
made.
The first phase of the program
is apt to reach the fabulous
figures of $10,000,000000 to
/ $12,000,000,000.
Only three men know the de-
tails, Mr.. Roosevelt, Mr.. Knud-
sen and Mr.. Morgenthau. They
are not saying anything until
after the legislation is enacted.
But the S10,000,000,000 to S12,-
600, 100000 figures are those
commonly used as a rounded
total for the minimum goal in
defense commission conferences.
1t explains ominously the silent
opposition of the administration
TO Republican proposals for
S2,000.000,000 or S8,000,000,000
limitations.
ETRST public peep indicating
L extent to which the defense
directors have expanded their
vision lies in the statements of
+. r. Stettinius Jr., head of the
priorities division. He announced
last October IL there would be
plenty of aluminium to meet the
demands of the defense program.
| He double-vowed the state
.ment on November %, saying
the production of aluminium
during the next two years zap
pears adequate to take care of
military requirements as now
estimated and present civilian
requirements with a sufficient
surplus to permit some increase
in civilian requirements"
Then he got sore about ii on
December 20. He said:
ut Is unfortunate that public
s. anxiety over our national de-
tense program should be based
on shortages (aluminum) which
do not exist. Creation of such
anxiety, which has no basis I'm
fact, serves no patriotic pur-
pose"
OUT on February. u he pub
~ licly urged users of alu-
minum ito give immediate
attention to the use of substi-
tutes including plaStics, because
of the impact of the defense
program which may make it
impossible for them to furnish
the general public with the usual
supply of aluminium imple-
mentS."
The appeal was reiterated
February IA, and on the seven
teenth Mrs. Roosevelt publicly
foresaw a curb on aluminium
pans. among other things.
Mr.. Stettinius no doubt will
be subjected to a certain amount
OF Raging over the way he has
been caught redhanded, but the
simple truth is neither he nor
any one else here knew in De-
cember the extent of the obliga-
tons which British aid is going
to impose on us.
TURNS of the war in the Bal
Il kanS and Far East mainly
caused the British to double or
treble their production plans.
They now see the necessity of
equipping armies all around the
world with planes, tanks and
munitions.
Their spy data claims German
production is today running at
the rate of S12, 1000 100000
year, an unbelievable figure. and
they intend to meet it if they
can with our backing.
Mr.. Roosevelt is likely to send
to Congress an immediate re-
quest for an appropriation as
soon as the bill is passed First
large order is supposed to cover
about $4,000 100000 for planes.
IN VIEW of these factors adj
miniStration defense planners
are becoming increasingly i'm
patient with business men who
! are resisting plant expansions or
accumulation of raw materials
on the ground these are un-
/ necessary.
Shortages of aluminium. mag
nesium and zinc are at hand as
Mr.. Stettinius has said. Next
will come nickel and brass, two
lines in which the pinch is just
beginning to be noticeable.
Our stock of copper. tin and
rubber will only prove sufficient
if imports are kept apace of the
program.
Meanwhile. the ultimate of
planned plant expansion will
undoubtedly have TO be carried
through. At least the admins
tration will start a drive to
force them through.
Distributed by King Features synd.. Inc
Reproduction in whole or in part
strictly prohibited.