The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-02-06
Economic . . .
Happenings That Affect the Dinner
Pals, Dividend Checks and Tax
Bills of Every Individual. National
and International Problems Insep-
arabic from Local Welfare.

arabic from Local Welfare.
1t is becoming clear that the un-
limited aid for England bill is not go
ing through with the binding speed
the Administration hoped for. On the
23rd of January, one Senate leader
said he expected final vote within
$50 days, which indicates the way the
wind blows. The opponents of the bill
are grimly determined to fight it to a
| lfinish-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 pow
ers, it gives the President.
Basis of opposition to the bill is
pretty we'll established. First, it's op-
ponents seized eagerly on Secretary
Stimson's observation that he expected
a crisis in the war within 60 to 80
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 a time.
Therefore, they said in effect, "Why
all the hurry?"
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 head Of the British government,
which is at war. Mr.. Churchill is di-
rectly accountable to Parliament for
every act--under the English system,
he is a member of the House of Com
mons and must submit to interroga-
ton by any other member. He is not
|elected for specific term, and could
be turned out of office inside "a hours
if the House of Commons, by simple
majority, refused to endorse some
measure or policy he advocated.
Third, it is argued that the bill
would revolutionze 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 giving
it to the Executive
Fourth, some are raising the argu-
ment that if England should fall, the
arms and materials and other i'm
|plements of war we would give her
could be turned against us--that our
troops might have to fight airplanes
and guns and warships made in Amer
lean yards and factories. 1t is stress
ed that all gifts and loans to England
would be made only under a definite
agreement that they would never be
turned over to another power, but the
bills opponents don't think such guar
antees 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 spokesmen, including the Pres
ident, have said that nothing of that
sort is anticipated, and that the ques-
tion of using American naval vessels
to convey British merchant shipping
something Britain obviously wants
has not been considered. But Ad-
ministration men, testifying for the
bill, have opposed a proposed clause
which would not permit the gift or
loan of ships to England without
specific Congressional approval.
There are arguments on the other
side of all these points, and they are
well 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 be-
tween the measures more extreme de-
tenders and opponents. Political par
Itisanship is playing almost no part
in the fight. There is little question
Of the absolute sincerity 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 amendments. Also
there is less likelihood of its being de
feated as a whole. The bills oppon-
ents have said that they will not stoop
to the filibuster, but will battle the
issue out on its merits. This may be
the biggest fight since the proposal to
increase the size of the Supreme
Court.
| "UnprcCedented production - small