Franklin Roosevelt actually said...

"The existence of competing helium producers restricts production from the Government plant, resulting in high costs."

"Cutting off the supply in times of stress would ground all ships in a very short time."

"The Army and Navy can estimate the quantity of helium required for replenishment abroad after the initial filling of an airship in this country."

"With adequate safeguards against the military use of exported helium, it would appear to be the duty of this country as a good neighbor to share our unneeded surplus it may have with other countries."