Where Resources Can Be Used

Into Washington last week, hot from the Churchill-Roosevelt sea strategy-conference, flew 62-year-old Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook, the British Minister of Supply, his dynamic little wrinkled-apple face alternately creased with huge smiles and deep worry lines. Beaverbrook, the British production fireball, had one simple mission: get more of everything for the British. At a restless press conference on the British Embassy porch he obligingly reported the fact, and even obliged cameramen by patting Ambassador Halifax's dachshund, Franklin ("What if the demmed thing bites me?" he demanded). But further than that he offered little except the remark that "I'm the biggest buyer on the cuff you've ever seen."

Nonetheless, his mere presence in Washington indicated that one of the big subjects of the conference—and perhaps one of those which will first bear fruit—is a new program of U.S. aid for Britain and joint aid of the U.S. and Britain for Russia.

To Joseph Stalin the President and Prime Minister had written suggesting that they send representatives to Moscow to confer about Russia's arms needs and saying: "Our resources, though immense, are limited, and it must become a question as to where and when those resources can best be used to further to the greatest extent our common effort."

That also was the question that concerned Lord Beaverbrook's visit to the U.S. This week the first overt step was taken. It was announced that Pan American Airways would ferry U.S. planes to West Africa and thence to the Middle East.

This week Lord Beaverbrook, conferring furiously, worked through the days and into the nights, made the rounds of the multiple defense agencies, getting up production steam, stating first needs first. Only one thing he did not attempt to buy on the cuff. He sent his gentleman's gentleman, "Knockles," to buy him three $10 shirts, two $2.50 ties, and several pairs of socks. "Knockles" paid $46.42—in cash.