Evening star., 1941-02-07
British Aid
Continued From First Page }

1t could only be made to stand up
by a tWo-thirds vote Of both House
and Senate A concurrent resolu-
ton can be passed by ma jority in
both houses and does not require
approval by the President.
Called Unconstitutional.
Some members argued that the
Dirksen amendment is not consti-
tutional, since it would give Con-
gress power to repeal legislation by
a concurrent resolution. Mr.. Dirk
sen. on the other hand, insists it is
constitutional for Congress to write
into legislation granting powers, a
limitation on their use.
The House met at IL am. today,
an hour earlier than its usual meet
ing time, in order to speed con-
sideration of the bill. Republicans
apparently we're willing to CO.
operate in the effort to get final
action today.
Minority Leader Martin asked Ma
jority Leader Mccormack whether
it was planned to keep the House in
session until the bill was passed.
Mr.. Mccormack replied that If
the measure could be finally acted
on by 6 pm, the House would re-
main in session until then. If. how
ever. it was evident this program
could not be followed, the leader
ship would move an adjournment
and seek to pass the bill tomorrow
Mr.. Mccormack said he did not
believe the members should be put
to the strain of long day and night
session. He pointed out there would
be no delay of the bill because the
Senate Is still holding hearings on
it and is not ready to take it up.
Among the amendments and sub
stitutes for the bill still awaiting
action, in addition to the Wads-
worth amendment, is the substitute
offered by Representative Eaton.
Republican, of New Jersey to limit
the aid to Britain to $4,000 900 900
in credits. Representative Fish of
New York, ranking Republican men,
Der of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee. has an amendment to pre-
vent the President from giving any
vessels of the American Navy to
Britain, and another to prohibit
the use OF American ports for ex-
tensive repairs of belligerent vessels.
Representative Mundt, Republican,
of South Dakota has proposal
which would place limit of 50 000,-
900 900 ON supplies of the Army and
Navy and other Government
agencies which might be trans
ferred under the bill to the
Democracies.
In explaining his amendment,
which the House approved after two
hours debate, Mr.. Bloom said it
would leave section of the Neu-
trality Act undisturbed.
Representative Rankin, Democrat.
of Mississippi, spoke in support of
the amendment.
Il support it" he said, because I
believe 1t will help to keep this coun-
try out of war. shall be guided in
all my votes on amendments and
on the bill by this same desire" He
said he warned in 1889 that repeal
Of the arms embargo would be a
green light" to France and Eng
land to 90 to war. There would have
been no war beyond the settlement
of the Polish corridor dispute, he
maintained.
I'VE are embarking now on a
course strange and untried," Mr..
Rankin said, with the American
people desiring to give England aid
short Of war.
Says U. S. Needs Time.
He said that as things are no one
knows where this course will take
America. 1t was evident, he con-
tinued, that this country needs time
to build up its defenses. especially
the air force. Aid to England, he
said may give this time. If no nego-
tiated peace is possible, then either
England or Germany must be vic
torious.
"The British Empire is in its
greatest danger today,'s Mr.. Rankin
said. He said he wanted to vote for
the bill. but would support amend
ments to 1t, including those proposed