Evening star., 1941-02-04
Debate
Continued From First Page)

ercised such power when he effected
the Louisiana purchase without
waiting for the approval Of Con-
gress"
Mr.. Wadsworth referred to the
exercise Of great powers by President
Lincoln and by Woodrow Wilson as
Chief Executive during the World
War.
Such exercise Of power is not
new in our history" said Mr.. Wads-
worth. The founders of the Re-
public realized that quick action of
one man might be necessary TO save
the country on occasion"
Mr.. Wadsworth said that there
were checks on Executive power and
that they we're necessary. When
Congress extended great powers to
the Executive it should always put
time limit on the use of that
power. At the end Of the time Con-
gress could then decide whether the
power should be renewed.
Asks Limit on Spending.
Another check inherent in our
form of government" said Mr.,
Wadsworth. lis the power over the
purse strings Powers may be ex
tended to the Executive. but if not
followed up by the appropriation of
money from time TO time, If money
is denied these powers fall. The
power of the purse is supreme power
in the long run. I think that Con-
gress has not used it often enough.
1t would be healthy to do so.
i There is no limitation on the
amount under this bill authorized
to be expended. A multitude of
people in this country are full OF
apprehension. They fear that un-
der this bill Congress is surrender
ing its powers. They fear dictator
ship. To alleviate this fear, think
limitation on authorized expendi-
lures should be placed in this bill,
hesitate TO say what the limit
should be. Two billion, three bill
lion. four billion have been sug-
gested.
E1Sh Oh
1T has been said in criticism of
this bill that the time limit OF two
years is really no time limit, because
the President. under its terms.
might make such large contracts ana
commitments Immediately before the
expiration of the time limit, that the
bill would continue to operate after
that time limit has been reached. -
Mr.. WadsWorth said that the re-
tention Of the power of the purse In
Congress was fundamental in the
whole system of republican govern
ment.
He added that the passage of the
bill would give great lift TO the
morale of the British even though it
will take IL months to feel the ma
terial effect in shipment OF added
supplies.
Another vigorous defense of aid to
England, under terms of the bill
came from Representative Clifford,
Republican of Massachusetts.
Mr.. Clifford pleaded for all aid to
Britain and with sarcasm prodded
his Republican colleagues because
of their stand in opposition to the
pending bill
He defended proposals in the bill
to permit the British to repair their
warships in American ports, saying
it was ridiculous for this country
to supply England with all kinds
of war materials and then deny
such services within our own ports.
international law" he said, has
gone overheard" referring to the
fact that under international law
in the past war vessels of bellige-
rent nation have been permitted to
remain in neutral ports only a short
time for essential repairs.
Jeered by Some Colleagues.
Amid jeers of some of his Repub-
lican colleagues the Massachusetts,
veteran proclaimed that the British
Navy was the first line of defense
for the United States under condi-
tions as they are today.
Representative Robson of Ken
lucky demanded when the British
1lCCO lldu CNCl NOAAAO " SlAS eAAA Va
Americas interests.
Now" shot back Mr. Clifford,
amid applause by the Democrats
and jeers Of the Republicans.
Mr.. Clifford said that it was the
British Navy which is protecting
American goods which are being
shipped in large quantities to Brit
ain today.
Mr.. Clifford made sharp and
ironical attack on his Republican
colleagues who voted against repeal
of the arms embargo of the old
Neutrality Act and who are now
opposing the lease-lend bill. He
quoted from speeches made by Rep
resentative Fish of New York at
the time of the arms embargo fight
in Congress and today, pointing out
that in 1889 he declared the sale