Evening star., 1927-10-04

tivities of the naties of the United
States and other nations. He ought
to accept Secretary Wilbur's invita-
tion. In SO doing he may perform q
great public service. If he fails, we
may look upon his criticisms as.
kance." AS to the order to submit
plans at once, the Watertown Daily
Times says that will require time and
expensive research, and 1T should be
given him."
"The American people are thor:
oughly committed to the policy OF
open discussion" AYERS the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, while the indianapolis
Star holds the unless it Is shown that
Admiral Magruder has made decided
misstatements of conditions. the coun.
try will welcome his criticisms" The
Navy Department. 1t Is asserted by
the Morga ntown New Dominion. will
seemingly have to face an almost
unanimous loyalty of the Nations
press to Admiral Magruder.'
The Aberdeen Daily World Is sure
"the public will want to know whether
these statements are correct" Pre-.
dictions that Congress will take up the
question are made by the Cleveland
Plain Dealer and the Nerfolk Ledger.
Dispatch, and the Roanoke World.
News advises that Congress might
very profitably devote some time to
finding out what IS done with the
ships we have. and why, with the
largest peace-time naval appropriation
in history. we do not get more for the
$500 ,OOO, 900 we are spending each year
on the Navy" The st. Louis Times
suggests that Secretary Wilbur would
best keep off the admiral's toes"
Investigation of Admiral Magru.
ders statements must be made as q
matter of course. but any question Oh
discipline must depend on what the
inquiry shows" according to the Buf.
falo Evening News. which finds
Sensible attitude taken by Secretary
Wilbur" The South Bend Tribune
observes that Secretary Wilbur
emerges from the affair with most OF
the honors," and the Kansas City Post
concludes that 'if all department
heads would behave in a similar man.
ner, half the objection to bureaucratic
administration would become invalid"
The Indianapolis News interprets the
"disposition to accept the suggestions
in good spirit" as possibly meaning
that "the Secretary will welcome an
investigation"
Admiral Magruder has expressed
himself, not recklessly and loosely.
but with logical argument supported
by evidence" comments the Worcester
Telegram, and the Jersey City Journal
states: Mine out of ten people prob
ably agree with the admiral as mat.
ter of principle established by long
experience with official expenditures
and extravagance. This, In the public
mind. puts the burden of proof. not
90 ofr 70 h q
right, but on the Secretary to demon.
strate that the admiral is wrong"
X y
eff the criticisms are we'll founded"
declares the Philadelphia Public
Ledger, cit is well to have them pub.
lie and in the open. It may be that
Magruder will be subjected
to departmental discipline for them.
That Is the risk he took, and 1t Is
scarcely conceivable that he took II
biindly." The Oklahoma City Okla.
remarks that lit may be that
the answer will be the ancient answer
of bureaucrats-a disciplinary order
stopping the mouth Of the trouble.
some admiral"
His good faith is unquestionable."
In the Judgment of the st. Paul Pho.
neer Press, and the Lexington Leader
says that "if only by giving publicity
to the facts as he describes them can
the corrective be supplied, he Is justi.
fled in writing as he has" The Hart
ford Times feels that mo one would
doubt very much that the Navy Is
and that 1t has as much
red tape as rigging on its ships"
that I'm times of peace II
Is quite easy for departments relating
to war to stagnate," the Charleston
Daily Mail holds that Initiative does
not know whether it will be welcomed
or frowned upon"
Secretary Wilbur's order Is ap. y
praised by the Baltimore Sun as show.
ing "a distorted sense OF humor,"
while the New York World is of the
opinion that the Secretary thus
places on the admiral a responsibility
that might well have been assumed
by others on duty at Washington"
On the other hand. the Reno Evening
Gazette asserts that 1.-The admiral. dis.
In two wars. famous for
his personal bravery, survivor of two
wrecks and come of family of noted
soldiers and sailors. should not have
oYQkic0lrcd fha r7alau :,