Milford chronicle., 1941-02-14
Economic EIighEghts
HappehIngs That Affect the Dinner
Pals, Dividend Checks and Tax
Bills Of Every IndIvldual, National
and International Problems Insep-
arabic frem Local Welfare.

and International Pr0DiemS lnSep.
arabic frGm Local Welfare.
II is becoming clear that the nn-
limited aid for England bill is not
going through with the binding
speed the Administration hoped for.
On the 23rd of January, one Senate
leader said be expected final vote
within go days, which indicates the
way the wind blows The opponents
of the bill are grimly determined to
fight it to a finish-and they have
picked up a number of adherents
who, while they favor sections of the
measure, and are as pro- British as
anyone else, were stunned by the
tremendous powers it gives the Pres
ident.
Basis of opposition to the bill is
pretty well established. First, its
opponents seized eagerly on Secre-
tary Stimson's observation that he
expected crisis in the war within
60 10 90 days. They pointed out that
even if the bill were passed at once,
there could be no significant Increase
in our aid to England in so short q
time. Therefore, they said in effect,
''Why all the hurryg'
Second, a major point has been
made Of the apparent fact that the
bill would give the head of this gov
ernment, which is not at war, far
greater powers than are possessed
by the heads of the British govern
ment, which is at war. Mr.. Chuchill
is directly accountable to Parliament
for every act-under the English sys-
fem, he is a member of the House of
Commons and must submit to inter-
rogation by any other member He
is not elected for a specific term, and
could be turned out of office inside
"a hours If the House of Commons,
by simple majority, refused to en-
dorse some measure or policy he ad-
yoeated.
Third, ii is argued that the bill
would reyolutlanize our system of
government, by, in effect, taking the
power to make war out of the hands
of Congress, where it is specifically
placed by the Constitution, and Civ
ing it to the Executive.
Fourth. some are raising the argu-
ment that il England should fan, the
arms and materials and other inple-
ments OF war we would give her
could be turned against us-thaf our
troops might have to fight airplanes
and guns and warships made IN Am
erican yards and factories. - is
stressed that all gifts and loans 10
England would be made only lnider
a definite agreement that they would
meyer be turned over TO another
power, but the bills opponents don't
think such guarantees would be
worth much.
Fifth, the fact that the bill as now
drawn would enable the President to
actually give England all or part of
our Navy, If he so decided, is being
made a big fighting point Admins
tration spokesman, including the
President, have said that nothing Of
that sort is anticipated, and thai the
question Of using American naval
vessels 10 convoy British merchant
shipping something Britain Obyi-
ously wants-has not been consider
ed. But Administration men, testify
Ing for the bfifs -opfiosed apro-i
n0sed clause which would not per-
nit the gift or loan of ships to Eng
land without specific Congressional
approval.
There are arguments on the other
side of all these points, and they are
we'll known-the President and those
who think the. way he does, have
been making them for long time.
There seems to be little common
ground between the measures more
extreme defenders and opponents.
Political partisanship is playing al
most no part in the fight. There is
little question of the absolute sin
cerity of leaders of both sides to. the,
controversy.
Best guess at this time is that
there is small likelihood of the bill
passing without restricting amend
Iaents. Also there is less likelihood
CT its being defeated as q whole. The |
bills opponents have said that theyi
will not stoop to the fillibuster, but
will battle the issue out on its mer-
its. This may be the biggest fGht
since the proposal TO increase the
size of the Supreme Court.
%
Unprecedented production small
profits" That, in four words. is as
good a forecast as any of the in
dustrial future
A tremendous expansion Of pro-
carrying us far beyond the |
1929 level, is Of course Inevitable
when unlimited billions are to bel
spent for arms. And small profls
seem equally inevitable, in the light
Of government controls, labor costs,t
high existing taxes and the certain
prospect OF new and increased taxes,
Unemployment is said to be going
down rapidly. The defense drive calls
for workers who are unskilled and
semi-skilled as well as skilled III
some highly skilled trades. such as
work, there is d deli
nite shortage of capable men.
Drastic changes in our noi'Ipal
economy are anticipated soon. For
Instance. don't be surprised IL auto-
mobile production is. cut by a third
Dr. more before the year ends, Motor
facilities are going to be needed to
1 constantly increasing extent for
arms purposes. That is also true, az
factories making heavy household
-refrigerators, etc. So.
Increases in the cost OF heavy
goods are expected. But there Is no
trend. The general cost
Of living index, which deals with the
basic necessities, is showing no par
ticular change at the moment.