Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-09
Favors CurtaiIing Expenses
by Cutting Number OF
Civilian Employees.
SUPPORTS RESERVE PLAN
TO KEEP DEFENSE STRONG
Butler Inclined to Put Little Faith
in Movement for General World
Disarmament.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MARION. Ohio, January s-A naval
policy to keep the United States one
Of the strongest sea powers in the
world until binding disarmament
agreement can be reached was dis
cussed at a conference here today be-
tween President-elect Harding and
Representative Butler Of Pennsylvania
chairman Of the House naval COM
mittee. Afterward. it was indicated
that, although final decision must
await developments, the present attl-
tude of Senator Harding pointed to
a continuation during his administra-
tion Of the fleet construction program
now in progress. Coupled with this
program, however, would be a ma
terial curtailment in the number OF
civilian employees of the Navy Depart
ment and various economies in the
land stations under Navy jurisdiction.
Mr.. Harding long has favored an
efficient Navy as the first line OF
American defense, and he is under
stood to feel that big Navy policy
might be continued practically II
steps are taken to curtail the strength
of the Army along the lines he ap-
proved yesterday in conference with
Chairman Kahn of the House military
committee.
Fayorn Reserve System.
He also favors strongly the reserve
system for both Army and Navy. and
IL understood to have indicated to
Chairman Butler that an adequate
naval reserve should be considered
one of the requisites to national de-
fense.
The whole question Of the Navy
hinges, however. on what progress may
be found possible in the movement Tor
a general reduction of armament
throughout the world, Mr.. Butler. VINO
is inclined to place little faith in the
proposal. expects to develop in COM
mittee hearings beginning next week.
al, the information available on the
probable consequences Of disarmament.
This information he will turn over to
Mr.. Harding.
I am determined to know" said the
night, what the other nations OF the
world sincerely desire in the way OF an
agreement to limit armament and espe-
cially that Of the sea"
suxxests Exchange Of Opinions.
Mr. Butler called Mr.. Harding's at
tention to the provision Of the naval
apvropriation bill of 1916. requesting
the President to make canvass OF
world sentiment in regard to disarma-
ment. He recommended that the new
administration take advantage OF this
authorization and seek an exchange OF
International opinion quite separate from
the plan for an association OF nations.
Another Of President-elect Harding's
callers today was Daniel G. Reid. New
York manufacturer and inancier. who
talked over the general financial situa-
ton. and gave his opinion particularly on
tn. problem OF getting money systems
bark to a sound basis. Mr.. Reid also
held a long conference with Harry n.
Daugherty. Mr.. Harding's close political
adviser, and said in a statement that
he expected greater financial stability
10 result from the policies Of the next
administration.
b. r. Inman Of Indianapolis. man
aRer of the Indiana Chamber of Com
merce, presented to Senator Harding
the results of comprehensive study
made by his organization into finan-
cial conditions generally. He advised
that there be no attempts to remedy
the situation by piecemeal measures.
but that farmers. manufacturers and
all other groups be prevailed upon to
take their share Of after-war depres-
sion rather than to try each for him
self to seize whatever special protec-
tion he can.
Late today the Ohio members Of the
electoral college came to Marion and
paid a call Of courtesy on Mr.. Hard
ing.
May Leave in Two Weeks.
Although no definite date has been
announced. it is expected here that
the President-elect will leave Marion
in about two weeks on his southern
trip. 1t generally is understood that
Florida. and that a houseboat trip
across the Everglades is one Of the
features in contemplation.
Mrs. Harding will leave here several
days in advance of the senator and
will spend some time in Washington
and New York shopping and attend
ing to other personal errands pre-
paratory to becoming mistress of the
White House. Later she will join
the vacation party in Florida.
The President-elect and his wife do
not plan to return to Marion prior
TO the Inauguration.