Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-01-06
Republican
Women Hear
Brewster
Senator Urges
Central Supply
Agency for War

Vigorous support of the industrial
mobilization plan, advanced Tor use
in a national emergency by Army
authorities in 1889 and supported
also by the Navy, was voiced yes
terday by Senator Brewster, Re-
publican, of Maine.
Speaking before the League OF
Republican Women, Senator Brew
ster pointed out the need OF q CEN
trail authority empowered to func-
ton as a procurement agency for
the Army, Navy and Air Corps and
for civilian defense agencies.
Supplies for the Army, Navy and
Air Corps should be obtained upon
immediate certification from these
services, he commended, without the
present method of having to "ur-
wind endless reams of red tape"
This would be possible. he explained,
If sufficient purchasing power were
placed in a central procurement
agency.
Some think this agency already
exists in the Office of Production
MANAGEMENT" he remarked. 1.-The
0. P. M. has not the power to place
a single order" he declared. ut
merely occupies an advisory capaci-
ty to other departments, many OF
which may be trying to secure the
same things"
Shortage Of Aluminium
"Tragic Situation"
He described the shortage OF
aluminium as a tragic situation
which could have been avoided If
steps had been taken a year ago
when the shortage was suggested.
The suggestion was highly re-
scented by certain high officials" he
commented, who later admitted a
shortage did exist"
Senator Brewster denounced re-
cent controversy which, he stated,
had taken place between Secretary
of Commerce Jones and Secretary
of the Interior Ickes. He declared
that the controversy had mpeded
the establishment of necessary
aluminium plants and added that
"all we have gotten so far Is quar-
rels and no aluminium"
The Senator expressed disapproval
of a plan proposed by Senator VAN
denberg of Michigan that a COM
mittee be established to advise on
the conduct Of the war.
Such committee was formed in
1853" he said. land nearly caused
the destruction of the United
States"
He pointed out that the President,
given authority by the Constitution
as Commander in Chief in war
time, alone should possess the power
to advise on the conduct of the
war.
Senator Brewster urged members
of the league to support President
Roosevelt, declaring that only in
the rising stature Of the President
will come that victory that will
save not only America but the en-
tire world"
"Help Make Roosevelt
As Great as Lincoln"
I'VE must help make Roosevelt
rs SItdt d ltdUcI dS washing Oll
and Lincoln" he added His fall
ure will be the failure Of the Amer
lea we know. We must rededicate
ourselves to the ideals of Lincoln
and America and the cause of this
country. If victory depends upon
the loyalty Of Republicans there
may be no fear as to the outcome"
he declared.
Faith in the strength of the Ma
ton was voiced by the Senator
Those who think that America has
become enfeebled by luxuries never
before known will realize that deep
down there still lie those poten-
tialities Of progress which have car
ried America so far" he declared.
I'VE Republicans must not only
function as a minority and as
patriotic Americans, but we must
rededicate ourselves as Christians
to that Guidance without which we
cannot hope to survive" he con-
cluded.
Mrs Edward Everett Gam, league
president, presided at the meeting.