Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 October 1939 — Page 5
. 0, R. POWERS FACTOR IN FIGHT ON NEUTRALITY
Fear of What Steps Executive Might Take Is Open | Secret in Senate.
(Third of a Series)
By BRUCE CATTON Times Special Writer WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.—It is an open secret that much of the senatorial opposition to repeal of the arms embargo rests on a deep fear of the steps which President Roosevelt may take. This doesn’t mean that anyone suspects the President of dishonorable motives or thinks that he isn’t perfectly sincere when he says he intends to keep the country at peace. It simply means that the isola-
tionists fear and know that any]
American President who wants to take drastic action has tremendous emergency powers at his disposal.
Statutes Give Added Power
These powers arise from a hodgepodge of holdover legislation, some of it passed during the World War and some at other times. They are powers which the President—any President—may exercise whenever he chooses to proclaim that a state of national emergency exists. Under the National Defense Act, for instance, “in time of war or when war is imminent,” the President may place orders with any industrial plant; the plant is compelled to- comply and to give the Presidential orders priority, and if it fails or refuses the President may commandeer the plant. Under a 1920 amendment to the Interstate Commerce Act, the President may certify to the Interstate Commerce Commission, in time of emergency, that it is essential to the national defense to give priority to certain types of traffic, and the Commission must then issue the necessary regulations. In effect this would give the President full control over railroad traffic and the bower to say what could and could not be shipped.
‘Wide Latitude on Seas
Under the espionage act of 1917, the President may exercise complete control over all vessels, domestic or foreign, within the ter- , ritorial waters of the United States, even to the extent of seizing such vessels and removing their officers and crews. Note, in this connection, that President Roosevelt recently pointed out that “territorial waters” are, roughly, what the nation says they are, and may extend several hundred miles out to sea. Another part of the same act provides stiff penalties for anyone who enters, flies over or goes upon U. 8. dockyards, forts, naval bases, etc, to get information about the national defense with intent or reason to believe that such information would be used to the injury of the United States. In an emergency, the President may designate any other place in which anything for the use of the Army or Navy is being prepared, constructed or stored as part of the forbidden territory. An act of March 9, 1933, gives the President complete power over the banking system “during such emergency period as the President by proclamation may prescribe.”
May Close Radio Units
Presidential control over radio, in time of emergency, is absolute and can extend to the closing of radio stations and the removal of their equipment. Control ‘of electric power facilities is authorized by an act of 1935. These are some of the tremendous powers which the President might make available to himself |} simply by issuing a proclamation of | a state of emergency. They are by no means all of the emergency powers that exist; indeed, hardly anyone in Weshington knows just what all of those powers may amount to. That is ‘why Senator Vandenberg introduced. in’ the Senate the other day a resolution asking the attorney general to submit a complete list of the emergency powers that are available. It is understood that the Justice Department not long ago drew up such a study for the White House; the isolationists want==the study made public, and if they succeed in getting it they plan to go over it with a fine-toothed comb and offer bills to repeal such of the powers as seem to them to be undesirable.
NEXT — War and the rumors
The Gallup Poll— wn
Shows Sentiment for Allowing | Cash-and-Carry Arms Shipments Spurred By Roosevelt's Speech
62 Per Cent Now Favor Lifting of Embargo, 57 Per Cent Before.
By DR. GEORGE GALLUP
Director, Ameriéan Institute of Public Opinion : f
PRINCETON, N. J., Oct. 4.—Public sentiment for changing the Neutrality Act to permit shipment of arms on ‘a cash-and-carry basis has increased sharply since President Roosevelt's speech before Congress on Sept. 21. A national fact-finding survey of public opinion undertaken following the President's speech shows that at the present time . three-fifths of the voters polled are e in favor of lifting the arms embargo. To what extent
this sentiment may be changed by the debate in Congress this week and next, ‘will be revealed in subsequent surveys. Thus far the President has presented his side of the case before Congress and the public, but the opposition bloc, led by Senator William E. Borah, has not yet had equal opportunity to reply. Prior to the President's speech, 57 per cent of voters with opinions in an American Institute of Public Opinion survey were in favor of changing the Neutrality Law.
AMERICAN - INSTITUTE
PUBLIC’OPINION
Sentiment Increased After the President's speech, a new survey found that sentiment for lifting the embargo had increased to 62 per cent. It is entirely possible, however, that the historic debate which is just beginning may change public sentiment on the issue. The two surveys, one before and one after the President's address to Congress, were conducted on the question: “Do you think Congress should change the Neutrality Law so that England and France could buy war supplies here?”
BEFORE PRESIDENTS SPEECH For Change Against Change 43 AFTER PRESIDENT'S SPEECH For Change Against Change Approximately one person in seven, on the average (14 per cent), had no opinion on the issue. Favor Change Earlier Institute studies show that even though the majority may favor lifting the arms embargo, they do not wish to see American ships or American credit ihvolved in war trade as they were in the last war. Instead, the overwhelming majority (90 per cent) favor adoption of the cash-and-carry plan which is part of the Administration's proposed change in the Neutrality Law. The survey found interesting differences of opinion by geographical sections. Although all areas voted in favor of changing the Neutrality Act, there was considerable variation in the size of the majorities. The smallest vote for revising the arms embargo came from the Middle Western farm area, which includes Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and surrounding states—a region long noted for its isolationist sentiment. The highest vote was in the Southern States. In general, the younger voters throughout the country—who would have to do most of the fighting if America were drawn into the war— were found to be less in favor of lifting the arms embargo than older voters. Men were more in favor of removing the embargo than women, and the middle and lower income groups more than the upper income groups. Per Cent— For Against Change Change 64 36 42
Men ...
50 and over Upper income group .. Middle income group . Lower income group . 62 While the survey found less en-
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National surveys of public opinion show that since President Roosevelt’s speech before Congress on the Neutrality Act, sentiment for changing the Act has increased.
NEW ENGLAND
MIDDLE ATLANTIC
EAST CENTRAL
WEST CENTRAL (Wisconsin,: Minnesota,
Dakota) SOUTH
(Virginia, Kentucky,
ida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma)
Washington, Oregon)
Neutrality Vote by Sections
» (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts)
(New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia)
(Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan)
Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Tennessee, Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Flor-
FAR WEST ............. xen haa dr 0 (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, California,
For Against Change Change Per Cent Per Cent
4 35
43
North
Arkansas,
lican voters, the difference between Republican and Democratic sentiment was not large. Among Democrats 68 in every 100 polled were
59 in every 100 Republicans. A special feature of the survey was a measurement of what research. experts consider an impor-
thusiasm for repeal among Repub- tant factor in public opinion—in-
tensity of sentiment. The results show that those voters who favor changing the Neutrality Act feel more keenly about the issue than those who oppose changing the Act.
in favor of repeal, as compared to|The intensity scale follows:
Strongly in favor of change. . Mildly in favor of change ... Strongly opposed to change . Mildly opposed to change
gor |
Sheriff's Aid Acts to Protect || . Children and Motorists On Highways.
John R. Dora, safety director of the Sheriff's office, today requested the State Highway Commission toy paint crossing lines and slow signs on the pavement near 15 Marion | County schools “in the interests of | safety.” Mr. Dora explained in a letter to Hallie Myers, safety director of the Highway Commission, that if “we| can . teach the several thousand children who cross these highways daily to cross properly without wandering over the road, we will] eliminate a hazard to motorists. “Slow signs on the pavement also will attract the attention of motorist sufficiently to have his car under control while passing through the school zones,” he said.
Lists Several Schools
Schools on highways where the: signs are requested are the Fleming Garden, 4200 W. Washington St.; Bridgeport; Garden City, 4800 Rockville Road; Township House No. 5, 7900 E. Washington St.; Cumberland; St. John’s, Road 29 and Hunter Road. Edgewood, Epler and Madison Aves.; Southport Grade, Madison Ave and Southport Road; Bluff Ave. School, Hanna_Ave. and Bluff Road; St. Roch’s, 3603 S. Meridian | St.; Flackville, Road 52 and 30th] St.; Clermont; Crooked Creek, Road 29 and Kessler Blvd.; Lawrence, and | Oaklandon.
“Inspects 42 Schools
Mr. Dora also requested the Highway Commission to change the timing on the stop and go signal at Road 52 and 30th St. in Flackville to give traffic more time to move east and west on 30th St. oy The deputy sheriff today was to complete his inspection of county schools. He reported that he has inspected 42 schools and found all in excellent shape from a safely standpoint, excent for a few that
need steel doors on their coal bins.” ————
City and Railways Co.
To Confer on Zones
The Safety Board will confer with officials of the Indianapolis Railways, Inc., on a proposal that traffic be permitted to move to the left of safety zones on streets wheres there is 16 feet or less between zones and curbs, LeRoy J. Keach, board president, said today. Problems that might arise in the | ccmbined movement of automobiles | and streetcars and husses through | the zones will be discussed with the company, Mr. Keach said. The conference probably will be held next| week, he said.
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