THE WHITE HOUSE
                         WASHINGTON
 
                                   August 28, 1941.
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
 
          The President will be interested in the attached 
tabulation of characteristics of our proposed 2100-ton 
destroyers set opposite those of the new British destroyer 
for Fleet use.
 
          Bearing on this comparison, we are now giving 
consideration to improvements in the AA machine gun 
battery for the leter of these ships.  As a first move, 
we will probably install twin 40 mm (Bofors) guns instead 
of the 1.1", with probable omission of the .50 caliber guns.  
20mm Oerlikon guns may be added.  We also feel 
that additional depth charges, we may have to
reduce torpedo tubes to one quintuple or two triple 
tubes.
 
                         Respectfully,
 
                         J.R. Beardall