Evening star., 1941-03-11
7.Bi|Iion Fund
Will Be Asked
Under Aid Bill
Senate Amendments
Quickly Accepted
By House, 317-71
Earlier Story on Page A-1.)

IICSlQCllI IlOOOCNClG o45llCd Il4C
lease-lend measure into law at
$50 o'clock this afternoon and
less than five minutes later ap-
proved first list of Army and
Navy materiel to be sent to Brit
ain and Greece.
Announcement of the' Chief
Executives action was made at
his press conference shortly after
4 o'clock, only a few hours after
he had advised congressional
leaders that the presently formu-
lated program would have an
overall cost of S7000,000 900.
The British-aid legislation had
received its final congressional ap-
proval shortly after 2 o'clock when
the House concurred in Senate
changes of the bill. The vote was
3l7 to II. The original vote on
passage of the pill by the House
a month ago was 260 to 165.
II the vote for final passage "a
Republicans and three Progressives
joined 220 Democrats in approving
Senate amendments Fifteen DEM
ocrats. 54 Republicans. one Farm
Laoorite and one American Labor
party member were in the opposi-
ton. Eight members were paired
and "a did not vote There are five
vacancies in the House.
In announcing that an initial
consignment of Army and Navy
equipment already had been desie-
mated for transfer TO both Britain
and Greece. the Chief Executive
refused to give any itemization or
any cost figures.
To List Arms Later.
He promised. however, that the
items involved would be disclosed
at time when the announcement
would be of no military value to
any other nation.
AS for cost, Mr.. Roosevelt said this
initial list is not a particularly large
amount, but added that the original
valuation is not necessarily "the
billing price" as of today. AS ex-
planation, he pointed out that much
Of the equipment could be consid-
cred out-of-date or surplus and OF
less monetary value than at the
time of its manufacture.
Dealing further with the matter
of making public the articles in
volved. the President said that the
identity would be kept secret only
for a reasonably short time. For
the information Of Congress. he
said he had suggested to readers
this morning that small joint
appropriations subcommittee be
designated to keep in constant touch
with the White House for full in
formation on what is being done
on H. r. 1776.
To Send Letter Tomorrow.
With regard to the estimated
total cost of the lease-lend program
as now contemplated, the President
said that he would express his
recommendations in a letter to be
dispatched to Speaker Rayburn to-
morrow noon.
His request for covering appro-
priations will be made in this man.
ner, he said, rather than in the form
of special message to Congress. 1t
is already planned. he continued.
that the Speaker will refer the letter
Immediately to the House Appro-
priations Committee with hearings
To begin on TurSdaY.
Mr.. Roosevelt also disclosed at his
press conference that he probably
will make a Nationwide radio ad-
dress about the aid program some
time within the next week.
Under questioning, he confirmed
that the initial consignment to
Britain and Greece is being made
out of existing Army and Navy
equipment and falls within the
limit of the $1,30O0O0,0OO quantity
which he is authorized to transfer.
No Merchant Ships Involved.
Asked if any specific trade had
been agreed upon with the British
and Greeks for this first list, the
President said there had been no
such deal as yet. Information on
the exchange formula will be made
public, he said, when the list OF
items is announced.
AS questioning continued on the
nature of the first articles to be
transferred, the President remarked
significantly that they were Army
and Navy items, not Maritime Com
mission. Presumably, this meant
that no merchant ships are in
volved in this first trade.
Although action occurred speedily
on the signing of the bill, the Presi-
dent said that there had been no
advance preparation of the actual
equipment for shipment. None has
been boxed or brought to points of
embarkation, he explained, and its
movement will depend on shipping
schedules.
China to Get Share.
AS a questioner noted that both
Britain and Greece are benefting
Immediately and asked about aid to
China, the President said he ex-
pected the Chinese would get a
share, also He acknowledged that
the degree of aid to China may be
affected by the anticipated report
from Lauchlin Currie, an admin
istrative assistant now en- route 10
TC--+3-,,-i - naoo . " T|1T ~