Evening star., 1941-03-11
President Signs British Aid
Bill: To Ask 7-BiIIion Fund

the war, rather than the predic-
tions of commentators who say we
will be in the war by April"
To Fight Use of Conveys.
Once the bill becomes law, he
said, it will be the duty of every one
Republicans and Democrats-to
support it. He added, however, that
if the President attempts to use
conveys or send troops to foreign
combat zones there can be no ma
tional unity"
Representative Andrews, Repub-
lican, Of New York indicated, how
ever. he felt that when he voted it
would be for the bill with these
amendments.
Representative O'Connor, Demo-
crat, of Montana said he voted
against the bill originally and would
vote against it as amended if the
parliamentary situation permitted.
The vote today, however, was con-
fined to the amendments.
Representative Keefe, Republican,
of Wisconsin, who opposed the bill,
declared that right or wrong" the
majority has laid down the course
of this Nation, and, as believer in
representative government, he feels
that once the bill becomes law the
American people should stand to-
gether.
Representative Dirksen, Republi-
can, of Illinois defended the con-
stitutionality of the provision by
which Congress is reserving the
right to repeal the bill at any time
before June 80, 1943. by passing
concurrent resolution.
Sees Moral Obligation"
Such a resolution is not a statute,
in that it does not require the
PRESIDENTS signature, and lawyers
are divided on the right of Congress
to amend or repeal law by that
method. Mr.. Dirksen said, how
ever, that If the President signs
the bill with that provision in it
he will be under "a moral obligation
to abide by it, and to surrender the
powers when Congress speaks in
terms of concurrent resolution"
The Republican members ex-
pressed their views after Mr.. Martin
told the House:
1--WE have taken a step unpar-
alleled in American history. There
is danger at every step we take from
now on. All of us, no matter which
side we may have supported in this
historic controversy, pray fervently
that the decision is a wise one and
that it will preserve peace and
security in our country.
Let me say we stand united for
liberty at home and we share in a
common desire to see liberty prevail
in every part of the world. Totali-
tarianism either at home or abroad
is obnoxious to us all. We live, thank
God, in a country where we can de-
bate these great questions and divide
as our convictions direct us. But
once the decision is reached, we ac-
cept the verdict of the majority.
"No Division in Loyalty"
eve may differ among ourselves,
but there is no division in our loyal
ty to our country or our determine
ton to protect the security OF our
people. We are one people; an un-
daunted people determined that real
Americanism shall not disappear
from the earth"
Despite the explanations of his
colleagues that they were voting
only to accept the Senate amend
ments and not on the merits of
the bill, Representative Woodruff,
Republican, of Michigan said the
fact remained that this vote puts
the finishing touches on the bill
to send it to the White House, and
I want no part of it"
When Representative Martin con-
cluded, the entire House, Democrats
and Republicans alike, rose and ap-
plauded
Majority Leader MacCormack i'm
mediately took the floor, declaring
that what Mr. Martin had just said
I'VE knew he would say. join with
him in his plea for national unity.
MacCormack Lauds Martin.
Americans may differ" continued
Representative MacCormack, when
legislation is in the process OF being
considered in committees and in
both houses of Congress. But when
the majority has spoken and law is
enacted, we all stand back of the
Chief Executive, whoever he may be.
ct want to compliment the minor
ity leader on the speech he has just
made. AS Americans, we all Will
rally behind the enforcement of the
law so that the purposes Of Con-
gress may be carried out.