Evening star., 1941-01-10
Measure Called
Blank Check
For President
BACKGROUND


Although statutory barriers
stand in 1Udy OF American aid to
beuigerentS in same degree as
during 1Cdr OF f914-18, this GoU-
ernment has attempted in many
1CdyS to clear path tOr all pos
Sible assistance to British. Err
cept for trade OF deStroyerS for
naudl bases, this aid in past has
been on cash basis, but under
ne1O plan Of lending or leasing
materiel 1rhdt President RooSe-
Uelt called the silly old dollar
sign tUiH be eliminated.
Congress took the first step today
to send ships, planes. tanks and
other war materials TO Great Britain
and other democracieS facing
aggressors, when House and Senate
leaders introduced at noon the
administration "lend-lease" bill.
Quick action on the legislation
was urged by President Roosevelt.
who told his press conference speed
was the most vital element in
volved in experimentation of Amer
ican policy to extend aid to demo-
cratic nations in their battle for
survival.
He said the broad powers given
him by the bill were needed to
avoid delays.
Senate Majority Leader Barkley
summed up its purpose with the
statement that the bill simply
translates into legislative form the
policy of making this country the
arsenal for the democracies. and
seeks to carry out President Roose-
veltS pledge to send to these coun-
tries in ever increasing numbers,
ships, planes, tanks and guns"
Senator Barkley said a provision
Of the bill permitting the Presi-
dent Ito test, repair, outfit or
otherwise to place in good working
order any defense article" meant
that repairs could be made to de-
fenSe articles whether manufactured
in the United States or not.
1T could conceivably mean. for
example" the statement said, that
the British battle cruiser RenoWn
could be repaired in the BROOKLYN
Navy Yard if the President consid-
cred it in the interest of our national
defense to do So
The provision is broad enough to
permit the use of any of our mill
tary, naval, or air bases to outfit and
repair the weapons Of countries
whose defense is vital to the defense
Of the United States"
President Gets Broad Powers.
Chairman Bloom Of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee promptly
announced the committee would
start work on the measure early next
week, probably Tuesday He said he
would favor open hearings. except
when officials deem executive ses-
sionS advisable. but he predicted only
a few days of hearings should be
necessary
Entitled IAN act to promote the
defense of the United States" the
"lease-lend" bill vests broad power
in the hands of the President II
furnish such materials and to such
countries as he finds will be in the
interest of this country's own de-
tense.
No limit is placed on the au-
thorization of funds to carry out
the program, which means that the
amount to be expended Will be de-
termined from time to time by the
Appropriation Committees of the
two Houses.
Major Features of Bill.
In statement accompanying the
bill. Senator Barkley outlined its
major powers as follows:
l. To manufacture war defense
materials for any countries whose
defense is deemed vital to the de-
fense of the United States in Gov
ernment-owned arsenals, factories
and ship yards.
2. To procure or purchase any war
materials from private airplane
plants, ship yards, or other fac
tories.
3. To sell, lease, lend, or otherwise
dispose of any war materials to any
such country.
4. To test, repair, outfit. or other
wise to place in good working order
any defense article for any such
government.
5. To communicate to any such
(See CONGRESS, Page ABB