Evening star., 1941-03-09

commented on their presence in his
final speech against the bill, de-
claring that "for the first time in
history" an important bill was about
to be voted on under the eyes and
restraint of gendarmarie ie" Turning
and pointing to each of the galleries,
the Missourian observed:
There is a policeman there, an
other one in that gallery and two
over there"
Are you in favor of what hap
pened here a moment ago?" inter-
rupted Senator Andrews, Democrat
of Florida.
Senator Clark replied he was not
but noted that there was also blue
coat in the gallery reserved for men,
bers' families and friends and said
he wondered why that was necessary
The Senate voted down without
roll call an amendment by Senator
Lucas, Democrat, of Illinois to set
up an advisory committee of con-
gressional leaders to consult with
the President at his invitation in
carrying out the aid program.
Naming of Countries Rejected.
1t rejected, also without a record
vote the motion of Senator Bridges,
Republican, of New Hampshire to
name the countries to be aided.
The bill leaves this to the judgment
of the President. Such an amend
ment had been suggested by Wen
dell L. Willkie, the 1910 Republican
presidential nominee, when he testi-
fled in support of the measure be-
fore the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee.
Two minor changes were made in
the bill yesterday, with the consent
of those in charge of it. One merely
makes it certain that farm prod
ucts are included in the definition
of commodities that may be fur
nished friendly nations. The other,
by Senator Davis, Republican, of
Pennsylvania vests discretion in the
President to authorize the repair of
vessels or other equipment for coun-
tries being aided by private contract
as well as in Government plants.
The only real fight during the
last day of debate was over the
Walsh naval amendment. In this
effort Chairman Walsh of the Naval
Committee had the backing of
Senator Tydings, Democrat, of
Maryland, one of the Senate's most
forceful speakers and supporter
OF the bill as a whole.
The Senate, however. followed the
warnings of Majority Leader Bark
ley and Senator George that the
Walsh amendment would have
"scuttled" the bill.
Senator Tydings argued the
amendment would have enabled the
President to transfer the remaining
u over-age deStroyers, left from the
World War. but none of the modern
naval vessels, to Great Britain.
Wants Navy Kept Intact.
Pointing out that some Senators
picture this country facing great
danger if England falls, while 9TH
eTs assert the Western Hemisphere
is safe no matter who wins, Sena-
tor Tydings contended this country
should keep in position to defend
itself against any circumstance. To
90 this. he argued. the Navy, "the
first line of defense" should be kept
intact.
In replying that the amendment
would "scuttle" the bill, Senator
George declared Britain needs ma
val help, and if she does not get it
when she needs it, the bill is no
good at all"
The main drive of the opposition,
which came to a head Friday, was
directed at placing in the bill fat
prohibition against sending armed
forces or naval conveys beyond this
hemisphere.
Administration spokesmen in
sisted the bill calls only for material
aid, and that conveying that aid to
England is not contemplated. They
successfully fought off five such
proposals, however, because they
did not want aggressor nations in
any part of the world to gain the
impression that this country would
not concern itself with anything
that happened outside of this hemi-
sphere.
They accepted compromise
amendment by Senator Ellender,
Democrat, of Louisiana, setting forth
that nothing in this bill changes ex-
isting laws governing the movement
of armed forces or naval vessels
Agrees to Modify Transfer
Senator George also agreed to
modify the word transfer so that
it would mean transfer title to"
goods being supplied other coun-
tries. to show that it was not the
intention to deliver" the supplies
in the country being aided.
Probably the most important
change made in the Senate was the
Byrd amendment to make sure that
no part of future appropriations
would be available for the aid of the
program, except to the extent Con-
gress may specify in passing each
supply bill. Out of existing approp-
rlations, or supplies on hand the
President may furnish any form of
material aid up to a limit of ST.
3OOOOO,000.
Senator Lodge, Republican, OF
Massachusetts,, who made one of
the first speeches in the Senate in
opposition to the bill before it came
out of committee, voted for it on
final passage last night. In a brief
statement to the Senate, he said he
had opposed it because of the "un-
limited discretion" it originally
vested in the President. He con-
tended it has been changed greatly
by the amendments.
The conferees who would repre-
sent the Senate if the House should
ask for a conference on the few
changes are: Senators George
Harrison, Democrat, of Mississippi;
Connally, Democrat, of Texas; Bark
ley, Capper, Republican, of Kansas;
johnson, Republican, Of California
and La Toilette.
Chairman Bloom of the House