The Pittsburgh Press (October 18, 1940)
ROOSEVELT REVIVES ST. LAWRENCE PLAN
Washington, Oct. 18 (UP) –
The United States is moving on two fronts today to strengthen its defense co-operation with Canada.
President Roosevelt, in a special informative message to Congress, yesterday revealed that he has created an advisory committee to conduct preliminary work on the projected development of power on the St. Lawrence River said there is an urgent need for such development.
Concurrently, it was learned that the U.S. Army Air Corps and the Canadian Air Force each will get about half of the 250 to 300 American pursuit planes and light bombers originally ordered by Sweden. The Swedish government contracted for the planes early in 1939, but shipment was held up under the export licensing control system for fear they might fall into German hands.
Mr. Roosevelt named four men to the advisory committee – Chairman Leland Olds of the Federal Power Commission; Assistant Secretary of State A. A. Berle Jr.; Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Robins of the Board of Army Engineers for Rivers and Harbors; and Gerald V. Cruise, representative of the New York State Power Authority trustees.