Evening star., 1942-08-02
Lee Says Nazi Threat
To Caucasus Boosts
Cargo Plane Need
Senator Declares U. S.
May Have to Develop
Flying Oil Tonkers
Nv ]. A. OIEARY.

BY ]. A. OTEARY.
The German threat to the Cau-
casus oil fields may make giant
cargo planes more essential to the
United Nations, Senator Lee. Demo-
crat, of Oklahoma, warned last
night as he prepared to resume
Senate hearings this week on air
transports to foil Axis submarines.
The long-range cargo planes Mr..
Kaiser wants to build cover . rev
phase Of the war that may soon be
upon us. and will be upon us II the
Caucasus oil is lost to the Allied
cause" said Senator Lee.
He was referring TO Henry J..
Kaiser, dynamic West Coast ship
builder, who has been assuring con-
gressional committees that Ameri-
can industry can hnd way to turn
out a fleet Of air cargo planes within
q reasonable time II given the word.
Mr.. Kaiser estimated that in his own
shipyards he could have the first big
cargo plane ready in 10 months if
given the green light now.
Suppose" said Senator Lee. "that
Hitler takes the Caucasus. We are
now fueling, our overseas forces from
those oil fields. Where would we be
then? We would have to have large
flying tankers."
Closed Session Planned.
Meanwhile, Senator Thomas,
Democrat, of Utah, who joined in
sponsoring the Lee resolution, In
dicated he believes the Government
has the authority now to build
cargo planes.
Senator Lee agreed it could be
done today. The main question In
congressional circles appeared to
be whether the construction OF giant
planes should be increased.
The Oklahoma Senator revealed
that one day this week his Military
Affairs Subcommittee will hold q
closed session to obtain data on the
percentage ratio OF cargo to combat
planes. He emphasized that he does
not want to divert from the build
ing Of combat planes any material
unnecessarily. He added, however,
the following:
Il think we are going to have
to divert some combat to cargo con-
struction until we catch up on cargo
facilities"
Hearings Will Continue.
He said the subcommittee, which
win continue hearings this week,
has no other purpose but to be
helpful to the agencies carrying on
the war In meeting the important
problem Of transporting supplies
to tho fighting fronts. He declared
he felt that If, by having the sub
committee 60 into the question Of air
transportation, I'VE could save three,
four or SIX months in making up
our minds. II would be valuable
contribution"
Discussing testimony to the, effect
that there are few flyers In this
country capable OF taking up giant
sized planes, Senator Lee said the
argument might, also have been
made early In the war effort that
the United States did not have
trained pilots Tor Ill the combat
planes authorised. In the expAn-
sion Of the combat air forces, the
training Of new pilots went along
apace with the building Of the
planes, he pointed out. II the con-
struction Of large cargo planes is
stepped up, he believes pilots to fiy
them also could be trained In time.
Emphasizing that he did not want
70 b pessimistic, but merely to look
at every possibility, Senator Lee said
that II Hitler crushed Russia and
Japan knocked out China, 1T would.
be continent against continent" and
Americas surface watercraft would
have difnculty In coping With land
based enemy planes.
Service Onlcials to Testify.
The North American continent
would then be ! prison island unless
We had air transportation" he
added.
Senator Thomas said he believes
the time has come when the air Is
close to, II 1t has not already be-
come, the primary factor in the war
picture.
Before the. end Of this week the
subcommittee Is expected to hear
omcers OF the Army and Navy and
ofncials Of other war agencies on the
cargo plane question.
The pending resolution makes the
Secretary Of War. Secretary Of Navy
Administrator OF the War Shipping
Administration and the chairman Of
the War Production Board members
Of q board to proceed with the con-
struction Of as many flying boats
for troops and cargo, as they deem
necessary to supplement other ship
ping facilities.
Senators johnson, Democrat, of
Colorado; Bridges, Republican, of
New Hampshire, and Gurney. Re-
publican, Of South Dakota Joined
with Senator's Thomak and rAe in