Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-27
COOLIDGE OPPOSES
MAGRUDER VIEWS
Holds Total of Officers Is Not
Too Large for Navy
Efficiency.
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Continued from First Page.)
Senate committee would give the ad-
miral chance to tell the facts"
Senators and Representatives, both
@IN"caJes ana opponents OF big
.*avv. have read the admirals charges
with care and they will insist that
he be called before the committee deal
ing with naval appropriations for an
elaboration of his ideas.
The admiral however. declared at
Philadelphia that he had no detailed
plan available, his reorganization
scheme being only outlined in the
article. lie added that it would take
a long time to prepare such a plan
and he would have TO be assisted by
a large force of expert officers and
clerical help.
Secretary Wilbur. 1t is understood,
Is ready to meet the issue by extend
ing this aid
Disciplinary Action Ended.
The possibility of disciplinary action
against Admiral Magruder apparently
is ended He has complied with the
naval regulation which stipulates the
submission 10 the Secretary of articles
on military affairs by persons in the
service by recently dispatChing a copy
of his article to Secretary Wilbur,
In discussing this phase of the case,
Secretary Wilbur said:
Il regret that he did not submit
his article before il was published
as it contained mistakes and inaccu-
racies which could have been correct
ed. But this will he overlooked. His
plan will be studied, but l cannot say
what action will be taken on it.
Il have known Admiral Magruder
since 1883. and l have looked up his
record, which / find to be an excel
lent one. He has done good work for
the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and |
am anxious TO get the full benefit of
any suggestions he has on the sub
ject of naval administration
So also are the members of the APP
propria tons and naval affairs com
mittees of Congress anxious TO hear
Admiral MaSruder's views on a SUBJ
ject that finds the lines sharply drawn
Some Senators and Representatives
thought his views, as well as those of
other ranking officers. as to changes
of administration might be reflected in
the annual recommendations which
the Navy Department will submit to
the new Congress in December.
Will BE Called by Congress.
But even if they should be. Admiral
Magruder and the other naval officers
will be callsd before the congressional
committees to give their own views.
Secretary Wilbur also will be a chief
witness when the prospective naval
appropriations for 1928 are considered
by the House and Senate committees.
Proponents of a large cruiser fleet
are especially interested in the article,
as they believe their campaign to bal
ance the battle fleet with this type
of craft will be greatly simplified If
the necessary ships of this type can
be constructed without heavy addi-
tional drain on the general fund of the
Treasury.
Another reason advanced by some
members of Congress why the greatest
economy in naval administration. par
ticularly ashore, should be exercised
within the next few years is that the
country soon must enter upon a pro-
gram of replacement not only of the
first line battleships, but also Of the
now obsolescent wartime built de-
ers and submarines.
Yards Question Difficult.
While they entertain some hope of
cutting down some naval expenses,
Congressional leaders are not over
optimistic about the elimination of
some of the existing naval establish
ments on the Atlantic Coast. This is a
subject that has engaged the atten-
ton of Congress at different times
oyer nearly a quarter of century
without the closing of any Of the naval
building and repair plants.
Admiral Magruder touches on this
sore spot to some extent in his article
and congressional leaders do MT at
tempt to deny that the blame in this
respect rests with Congress and not
with the Navy Department. Local
politics in the district affected has
always succeeded in bringing enough
pressure to bearn to retain navy yards
slated for abandonment. Congress
sional leaders who have the Nays
best interests at heart have never
been able % buck this tide success
fully.
The last big fight on the subject was
In 1910, but those proposing abolition
of yards here and there went down to
defeat before the combination of Rep
yesentatives from the States in which
naval plants then were located and
those seeking to have the Government
expand its fleet conditioning facilities.
The prospect of. closing down any of
the surplus yards is said to be no more
encouraging at this time.