Evening star., 1924-09-17
.|ND|SCREET TALKS
BY WILBUR DENIED
AS RECALL REASON
Coolidge Emphatic in Saying
Coast Speeches Have Not
Been Criticized.
NAVAL ISSUES STRESSED
AGAIN AT WHITE HOUSE
Aviation Problem Requires Discus
sion With Secretary, Friends
of Executive Declare.

President Coolidge today denied
published reports and inferences that
he recalled Secretary of the Navy
Wilbur from California because Of
speeches he had made and was plan
ming to make.
The President stated that he sent
for the Navy head solely to consult
him on matters of purely domestic
concern relating to the Navy, tele
graphing him that important naval
matters made it necessary to see him
at once"
The Executives denial was con-
tanned in brief statement issued at
follows:
Has Heard No Criticism.
1T was officially denied at the
White House that the President had
heard of any criticism of any speeches
made on the coast by Secretary
Wilbur or any comments concerning
them other than that they have been
very helpful The President has the
highest regard for the character OF
the service Secretary Wilbur has
rendered as head Of the Navy, and
sent for the Secretary solely to con-
suit him on matters of purely
domestic concern relating to the
Navy telegraphing him that i'm
portant naval matters made it neces
sary TO see him at once"
Those close to the President pre-
vailed upon him this morning to make
some explanation of the Wilbur in
cident inasmuch as speculation fol-
lowing the telegram to the Secretary
to come back became more rife and
of decidedly personal nature last
night. Throughout the country this
speculation was taking the form that
Secretary WilburS recent speech on
the Catalina. Islands could be taken
as a direct attack upon the japanese
and ridicule of dry enforcement laws
and led to the hurry call from the
White House.
One Speech Cancelled.
These reports, which were widely
published. con1ended further that the
return OF Secretary Wilbur had little
to do with discussion of the Navy
budget or other matters relating to
the department. but because of the
fear entertained by President Cool
idge and his political field marshals
of Secretary Wilbur's future speeches
The latter was to have delivered
another address at Denver Saturday,
but this speech, advance copies OF
which were ready to be given to the
press at the Navy Department, was
suddenly withdrawn last night.
Friends of the President discussing
the incident at the White House today
agree that little attention would have
been paid to the message from the
President asking the Secretary to re-
turn to Washington had not the lat
ter said TO newspaper men at the
time that his recall was prompted BY
aboard an airplane to make a quick
trip from San Diego to Riverside
to catch the Overland Limited adde1
to the speculation, according to the
viewpoint of White House officials
and departmental heads here.
1t is pointed out by administration
officials who have discussed the mat
ter with President Coolidge that 1t
is perfectly natural for the latter 10
want the Navy head back in wash
ington, inasmuch as his vacation has
been sufficiently long and there are
many matters although none of any
great moment, to be discussed be-
tween the President and the head Of
the Navy.
The Presidents expressed interest
in aviation will necessarily call Tor
numerous conferences between him
and heads of the Army and Navy and
the various aviation activities or the
government, during which the ques-
ton will be discussed of whether avia-
ton as a war factor is not rapidly ad-
vancing to a point where the Navy no
longer holds first place. 1t is intimated
that the President will suggest to Sec
retary Wilbur that he take steps to
have officers of the Navy refrain from
their insistence for greater appropria-
tions.
1t is expected that Secretary Wilbur
will arrive in Washington late this
week,