Evening star., 1927-09-24
Washington Circles Stirred
by Episode That Rivals Ad-
miraI Sims Dispute.
SECRETARY WILBUR
WITHH0LDS COMMENT
Second Article Said to Have Been
Published v nout Official
Examination.

lilCIS lOOdy LtldL AulIliIdl L lOLIldS Z
Ma agruder is TO be called on the carpet
before Secretary Wilbur for either
censure or disciplining in connection
with his recently published broadside
aimed at the Navy's administration.
which looms on the horizon as another
Sims episode.
Until he has communicated with
Magruder in Philadelphia.
Secretary Wilbur withheld further
comment today, his only previous
statement being merely to the effect
that no action has yet been taken.
Admiral Magruder is said to have
violated a naval regulation which
stipulates that articles on military
affairs by persons in the service shall
be submitted to the Secretary before
publication.
Secretary Wilbur is said not to have
seen the articles in question until
publication in the current issue of the
Saturday Evening Post. under the title
THE Navy Economy"
AT q press conference called later
today, Secretary Wilbur admitted that
another article written by Admiral
Magruder on naval cruisers. written
some time ago, had been published
without having been submitted to the
department for examination.
While Mr.. Wilbur declined to say
what he would do in the case OF
Admiral Magruder, he let it be known
for the first time today that a young
officer is now under court-martial for
having written a particularly offensive
article under some one else's name.
The two cases, however, are not
he irx 1t-in t1n
martial involves circumstances which
the Navy does not wish to divulge.
1t was learned at the Navy De-
partment today that other regula-
tions are involved i'm the publica-
ton of Admiral Magruder's most re-
cent article. An officer Is held re-
sponsible for what he publishes, it
was explained, and if his statements
are untruthful or misrepresent the
facts disciplinary measures are war
ranted.
Mr.. Wilbur would not comment on
the time limit in which an officer is
expected TO submit an article to the
Secretary through official channels,
but he did say that it was the bet
ter practice of all officers who pre-
pare matter for publication to sub
NIT them to the Secretary so as to
avoid any possible inaccuracies or
misstatements.
Naval Circles Stirred.
Not since the famous controversy
aroused by the vitrolic pen of Admiral
Sims has the Navy been so stirred
may arise out of this latest attack on
naval policies. Some officers seem to
think that Admiral Magruder will be
allowed to ''get away with it," pro-
vided he does not offend n second
time. Others were Of the opinion that
the article, a sweeping criticism of
naval administration, warrants the
discipline which Secretary Wilbur has
in his power to bring upon the head
of the admiral
) In statement at Philadelphia, the
admiral declared that he was certain
mo disciplinary action can be taken
justly" and that he had mo fear" of
any such step. He added that he
hoped his article will be of some
good to the Navy, and that was my
purpose in writing it,
Admiral Magruder's condemnation OF
naval economy would not be so pro-
vocative. it was stated today. were
it not for the fact that it contains
glaring inaccuracies which the depart
ment feels should not be permitted to
go unanswered. Furthermore, it was
reported that the article was inspired
three years ago, when ii was originally
drafted by Admiral Magruder. and
was not published on an Impulse.
Admiral Magruder had merely brought
it up to date, it was said, before its
publication this week.
Embarrassing to Wilbur.
There was a strong feeling today,
on the other hand, that Secretary Will
bur would prefer to close the incident
with the least amount of publicity as
possible. For him to subject Admiral
to severe discipline at this
time, it was said, would stir up a
hornets nest similar to that which
Gen. William A. Mitchell stirred in
the Army.
Secretary Wilbur is undoubtedly
placed in an embarrassing position,
and Admiral Magruder is not lacking
friends both in and out of the service
who would dare to take issue with the
powers that be.
The admiral is veteran of Sc years
service and winner of the Distin-
guished Service Cross during the
World War while second in command
Of the American naval forces in Euro
pean waters. He said that in his ar.
ticle he had made mo effort to hang
out the Navy's dirty laundry" and
the general character of his article
seems to bear out this statement. 1t
Is couched in. dignified language and
lacks the vitrol into which both Ad-
miral Sims and Gen. Mitchell dipped
their pens.
Admiral Magruder declared most OF
MIS- material was CLEANED from testi-
nony before a special commission in
several years ago study
ing the effects of economies in the
Navy.
THE principle trouble with the
Navy today" he asserted, "is that IL
never completely demobilized since the
World War. L maintain there are
too many officers on duty in Washing.
ton and with the fleets and that there
Is too much money being spent on
the maintenance of navy yards and
naval stations along the Atlantic
coast"
Calls Taxpayers Generous.
The admiral said he was greatly
impressed by the interest shown by
the general public In the Navy.
"The taxpayers have been generous
TO the Navy" he added, land Con-
yress has been generous. too. but 7
fear we have taken advantage of
them
Blame for the conditions in the
navy yards cited by Admiral Magruder
vas placed today on Congress. which
defeated serious attempts to close GER
ain navy yards on the Atlantic Coast
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