The Wilmington morning star., 1941-01-28
F. R. AND SOLONS
DISCUSS MEASURE
Continued From Page One)

advance, of the conference that the
agenda included a proposal for a
board of legislators and former
legislators to advise the President
in administering the lease-lend bill.
For the first time since the in
PRODUCTION of the bill to endoW
President Roosevelt with wide
powers to aid countries battling
the Axis, republican leaders il
Congress were invited to sit ir
with democrats at the meeting
with President Roosevelt.
Advisory Powers
The proposed board, which would
have only advisory powers, woulc
consult with the President abou'
military equipment which would be
sent to belligerents.
Some supporters of the bill hoped
such an amendment would offse
criticism that under the measure
the President could give away
the Navy without consulting any
one. In the same vein, another
suggested amendment W would re
quire periodic reports to Congress!
on the progress of the aid program
Most supporters of the measure
seemed agreed that a two-year linn
itation on the life of the Legislation
would be written into it. There
was talk, also, of fixing a ST. 600,
900, 600 ceiling" on the expendi
lures during that period.
To satisfy some opponents of the
measure, the administration lead
ers were said to be prepared tt
attach a clause guaranteeing tina
no American naval units would be
used to convoy supplies to the bel
ligerents.
George Approves
In a radio speech tonight Chair
man George D.-Ga.) of the senate
foreign relations committee ex'
pressed approval of the lease-lenc
bill, but suggested a time limit
on the Presidential powers, q
clause making it clear that the
Navy would not go on convoy duty.
and a provision for periodic re.
ports to Congress.
Earlier, Secretary of State HUI,
hae appeared before the commit
tee to present the administration
viewpoint. Although the session
was secret, informed sources SAID
he denied charges hat the bill
would lead to war, and said that
American assistance was largely
responsible" for the fact that the
Nazis have not invaded England
up to now.
Later Senator Van Mugs 3D..
Ind.), who had not disclosed his
stand on the measure, said that
Hull had presented a beautiful.
case" He said he believed Hull
had "made some support" for the
bill, but Senator Nye (R.-N. D.
disagreed, saying that in his opinion
no votes had been changed. Nye
said Hull was questioned about Ger.
tain issues but 'just didn't choose
to deal with those issues directly
No Contracts Placed
During the day, Arthur B. Pur.
Wis, chairman of the British Coun.
Gil of North American Supply, said
that no important munitions con-
tracts were being placed in Ameri-
ca pending action on the pending
bill.
Purvis, after a conference with
Secretary Of the Treasury Nor
genthau, told reporters:
"We are buying a few scraps
now and then, perhaps a little fire
hose or something like that, but
we haven't the money for any
more large contracts for weapons
The White House conference to-
night was announced by Speaker
Rayburn. l
Rayburn listed these conferees:
Senator Barley D.-Ky.), Chair
man George D.-Ga) of the senate
foreign relations committee; Sena-
tor McNary (R.-Ore), senate mi
leader;
Rayburn himself; Chairman
Bloom (D.-NY) of the house for