Evening star., 1926-11-12

utterances on national defense bring
good deal of relief to the Army and
Navy. The administration economy
program always sends cold shivers
down the backs Of the men respon-
sible for maintaining our armed forces
on what President George Washing
ton called "a respectable defensive
posture." So whenever Mr.. Coolidge.
as he did at Kansas City, declares
himself unreservedly in favor OF ade-
uuate preparedness ashore, afloat and
sloft, our soldier men and sailor men
take heart. There is a very consider
able ferment in the Navy at the mo-
ment over plans*for reduction OF per-
sonnel. The President is reported to
be determined that the manning OF the
Navy's expanded air service must be
accomplished with personnel taken
from the existing fleet. If that is done
naval leaders fear it may be necessary
nra ctically to dismantle certain essen
tisl units, already manned, to large
extent. by incomplete compliments.
Reports that Japan has just launched
an extensive new warshlp-bulldlng
plan induce our naval strategists to
demand afresh that the Washington
conference 5-5-3 ratio be maintained.
az far as the American fleet Ia con-
cerned, to the last ship and to the last
sailor.
On FRIDAY, November 1S, the execu-
tive committee of the conference OF
governors will meet in Washington to
decide place and program OF the next
conclave of State executives. The
chairman of the executive committee
is Gov. Ralph o. Brewster Of Maine
and the other members are Cows. John
Hammill, Iowa; John W. Martin, Flor1'
da: Adam McMullen, Nebraska. and
Mrs. Nellie T. Ross, wyoming. Gov.
Edward Jackson of Indiana is treas
urer of the committee and former Gov
Cary A. Hardee Of Florida is secretary
They will. as usual. confer with the
President and probably sample White
House cooking.
The short and perfunctory session
Of the Senate on November 10. for dis
posal of the English impeachment
case, looked like the reunion Of a col
lese fraternity. During the Is min
utes before Vice President Dawes rap
ned for order, the floor was the scene
Of an orgy of back-slapping, elbow
greasing and glad-handing seldom
witnessed in the worlds most delib'
crate assembly Statesmen who fell
by the wayside in this years pri'
maries or at the election of Novem'
ber 2 were the objects of affectionate
greeting on the part of surviving club
members. Jim" Wadsworth, Repub
lican. of New York, was the center
of a group Of particularly ardent sym
pathizers and wefl-wishers. The smiles
rnf rnfl1nd Rnl1ntAn0 nCA
gave little indication that he is about
to become a lame duck. 1-enroot OF
wisconsin seemed serenity itself. too.
a. did Pepper of Pennsylvania. Ernst
Of Kentucky and other notables soon
to be privileged to write lex" before
their senatorial titles. Butler of
Massachusetts, is no longer q Senator.
Politics seems incapable of disturbing
friendships. Dave" Reed Of Penn
SYLVIA mia. who recently called Norris
Of Nebra ska a "mongrel, hebnobbed
with the Republican Progressive as
If they were long-lost brothers.
Washington hopes some day to cap
ture the Army-Navy foot ball game
worthy of that clas Meantime its
most thrilling local contest. now be-
come an annual affair. Is the battle
for the Presidents Cup between teams
representing the Army and Marine
Corps. This years clash on November
20 will bring together at the stadium
of the Catholic University elevens
from the Marine Corps headquarters
ut Quantico. Va. and the Infantry
School at Fort Benning. The Army
gained possession of the Presidents
Cup two years ago. when the contest
was instituted, but forfeited the trophy
In 1925 to the Marines. AS the score
thus stands to 1, next weeks game
is certain to be fast and furious.
eDw!ght r. Davis. Secretary Of War.