The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-09
HARDING DISCUSSES NAVAL POLICY ID
 KEEP U. s. AHEAD
President Elect FavorS Contin- uation During Administra- ton of Present Fleet
 Construction Programme
By Associated Press

Marion. Ohio, January S.-A naval pol icy to keep the United States one of the strongest sea powers in the world until binding disarmament agreement can be reached. was discussed at a confer ence here today between President elect Harding and Representative Butler of Pennsylvania. chairman of the House naval committee. Afterward it was n- ulcated that although a final decision must await developments. the present at titude of Senator Harding pointed to a continuation during his administration or the fleet construction programme now in progress. Coupled with this pro- gramme, however, would be a material curtailment in the number of civilian employees of the navy departmente and Various economies in the land stations under navy Jurisdiction.
 MT. Harding long has favored an ef- iiclent navy as the first line of Amer lcan defense and he is understood to feel that big navy policy might be con tlnued practically if steps are taken to curtail the strength or the army along the lines he approved yesterday in con- ference with Chairman Kahn of the House military committee.
 He also favors strongly the reserve system for both army and navy. and is understood to have indicated to Chair man Butler that an adequate naval re- serve should be considered one of the requisites to national defense.
 The whole question of the navy hinges however, on what progress may be found possible in the movement for general reduction of armament throughout the world. Mir. Butler, who is inclined to place little faith in the proposal expects to develop in committee hearings be- ginning next week. all the information available on the probable consequences Of disarmament. This information he Will turn over to Mr Harding
 WANTS FACTS
 T am determined to know" said the committee chairman in statement to- night. what the other nations of the world sincerely desire in the way of an agreement to limit armament and es- pecially that of the sea-"
 MT. Butler called MT. Harding's atten- ton to the provision of the naval ap- propriation bill of 1916 requesting the President to make canvass of world sentiment in regard to disarmament. He recommended that the new administra- ton take advantage of this authorization and seek an exchange of international opinion quite separately from the plan or an association of nations.
 One of President Hardings callers was Daniel G. Reed, New York manufacturer and financer, who talked over the gen- eral financial situation and gave his opn- lon on the problem of getting the money system back to sound basis. MT. Reid also held long conference with Harry M. Daugherty, MT. Hardings close po- lltical adviser. and said in a statement that he expected greater financial sta bility to result from the policies of the next administration
 B. R. Inman of Indianapolis, manager of the Indiana chamber of commerce, presented to Senator Harding the results of comprehensive study made by his nr tiz0f ftf,r, frxfA s-I 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 Impressions rather than to try each for himself to seizee whatever special protection he can
 Late today the Ohio members of the electoral college came into Marion and paid a call of courtesy on MT Harding.