Evening star., 1927-09-25
NAVY PROBE LOOMS
IN MAGRUDER CASE
Borah Praises Officer for
Writing Criticisms-Disci-
pIining ProbIematicaI.

While Secretary Wilbur debated
yesterday whether to ignore or dis.
cipline Rear Admiral Thomas F. Ma.
gruder for his second offense in writ
ing an "unauthorized' magazine ar
ticle criticizing the Navy, the spectre
of a congressional inquiry into the
charges of inefficiency and costly red
tape arose, much to the chagrin of
high officials.
Senator Borah of Idaho, one OF the
most outspoken of Navy critics, de.
clares: Il would like to have a Ma.
gruder in every department in Wash
ington."
With many members of Congress
drifting into Washington, Admiral
Magruder's caustic arraignment of
naval economy, in particular, gave
occasion for real anxiety in the Navy
Department. Officials were fearful
that the incoming Congress would
seize upon the Magruder incident as
a plausible excuse to give naval af-
fairs a thorough airing. Friends of
Admiral Magruder were said 10 be
ready to wage a fight for vindication
if he is subjected to any degree of
disciplining for writing so candidily
about conditions in the Navy.
Sims Incident Recalled.
Failure of the Geneva arms con-
ference is likely to bring naval mat
ters TO the fore when Congress con-
venes and officials in the department,
who are favorable to leniency in the
case of Admiral Magruder pointed out
yesterday that the charges contained
in his article form ample basis Tor an
inquiry by the naval committee O..
either House. In view of the storm
that arose over Admiral Sims, these
contended that Secretary Wilbur
would serve the Navy better by SOFT
pedaling the Magruder incident.
The Navy Departments informal In.
uuiry into the conduct Of the admiral,
meanwhile, turns on what regula-
tions may have been violated by the
officer. This will be determined, it
was said, before any official steps are
taken, but Secretary Wilbur Indicated
that some action would be taken ln
q very few days"
Admiral Magruders article is being
studied by high officials of the depart
ment TO determine if it contains spe-
cific misstatements of facts, whether
in writing he was disrespectful to
superior officials, or whether he could
be charged with INSTRUMENTATION. Sec
retary Wilbur explained that the Off
Ger who so publishes criticism of
the Navy is held strictly responsible
for what his article contains under
various forms of naval regulations.
Refers to Naval Custom.
Though he declined to comment
further on Admiral NIaeruder's case,
Mr., Wilbur Yesterday disclosed that
the admiral had failed to follow the
usual practice of submitting articles
TO the department before their publ
cation. In reply to inquiries. he also
said that it was the admiral's second
Offense as he did not submit previ-
Gus article dealing with cruisers.
The naval regulations do not state
whether articles written by naval per-
sons shall he submitted to the de.
partment before or after publication
and there is d division of opinion
among officials as to whether Admiral
Maaruder could not abide by the regu.
lations by filing copies Of the article
with the department now. That was
a point however on which Secretary
Wilbur declined TO commit himself.
Nh Wilbur declared yesterday that
a young officer is now in the midst
Of court martial for failing To sub
nit his manuscript before publica-
ton. His case, however, also includ.
ed another alleged violation for writ.
ing under an assumed name and in
another important respect, about
which Mr.. Wilbur does not care to
comment, differs from the case of
Admiral Magruder.
Gag" Rule Disclaimed.
Officials hastened to explain that 1t
is not the departments policy to at
tempt to gag" officers, but the regu
lation is designed to prevent mac
curacies from creeping into publica
tons and to safeguard against divul
gence Of military secrets. Despite
dlnials Of gag rule" this Is q charge
that is frequently heard in Congress
and is likely to bob up again if Ad
mlral Magruder is either censured OF
disciplined for what the department
clearly thinks is an indiscretion.
A cursory examination of the ad
mirars article, 1t was said, has con
vinced Secretary Wilbur that it con
| tains number of inaccuracies. These
are being carefully checked TO deter
! mine their truthfulness, and IL the
! claim of inaccuracy or misstatemen'
is sustained, it Is said to be extreme
| ly probable that the admiral will be