Evening star., 1942-12-04
New War Powers Aci
Designed 10 Affect
Few, President Says
Two or Three Dozen
Persons Per Year Would
Be Admitted to u. S.
Nv tbs Associated preSs

| BY the Associated Press.
Replying to critics of his recon-
] mendation for power to suspend the
tariff and immigration laws when
ever he deems it necessary to sup
port the war effort, President Roose-
velt told reporters today that it was
intended, under the immigration
part, to bring into this country only
two or three dozen persons year.
A questioner at his press confer
ence noted that most of the criticism
had been directed against suspend
ing the immigration laws for fear it
would let down the bars to unwanted
individuals.
The President replied he did not
care how the bill was worded and
said the few persons the Govern
ment wanted to let in would be
needed to strengthen the war ef-
fort. He agreed with a questioner
that that was all that the shouting
was about at the Capitol.
Hearings Continued.
The House Ways and Means Com
mittee continued hearings on the
legislation, trimmed down by sub
committee to cover only suspension
of tariff regulations, after being in
formed by Secretary of the Treasury
Morgenthau that the Treasury has
no new tax program for immediate
consideration.
Mr.. Morgenthau's position was
disclosed late yesterday after the
committee heard high-ranking
Army, Navy and Maritime Com
mission officials indorse a bill to
broaden the Chief Executives war
powers with respect to tariffs.
Chairman Doughton announced
that Mr.. Morgenthau had told him
the department had not worked out
a new tax plan, but other members
said undoubtedly there would be
new tax legislation early in the next
session.
The committee went into the Sec
ond day of public hearings on the
tariff bill with many members
obviously unconvinced that the gen.
eral grant of power it proposes is
necessary. Called to testify were
representatives of the State De-
partment, the Tariff Commission
and the Customs Service.
Facts on Barriers Sought.
Throughout yesterdays question:
ing members unsuccessfully sought
to learn what existing laws or regu-
lations were impeding the war ef-
fort and indicated a willingness to
remove those barriers.
Undersecretary of War Patterson,
Undersecretary of the Navy For
restal and Rear Admiral Emory S..
Land, chairman of the Maritime
Commission, appeared yesterday to
support the bill.
IT think the bill is pretty we'll
pared down; there's nothing super
fluous in it," argued Mr., Patterson
after saying the War Department
considered the measure necessary to
remove impediments to the war
effort.
Mr.. Doughton asked him whether
President Roosevelt had asked for
the new authority as result Of re-
quests by the War Department "or
to enlarge his own powers"
II understand that it was made
on the recommendation of the War
Department" Mr.. Patterson replied.
Reasons for Measure.
He said the chief reason the de-
partment wanted the bill was to
facilitate speedy movement of sup
plies and cited delays at the Cana
dian and Mexican borders in the
passage of both raw material and
finished goods through customs.
Mr.. Forrestal backed Mr. Patter-
sons testimony, asserting the legis-
lation was born of war and I as
sumo it will end with the war. I
frankly don't see any sinister shad-
ows behind it"
A protest that Congress might be
reduced to the same state of i'm