Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-20
SHEARER HIRED
ASOBSERvER ONLY
Head of New York Concern
Tells Senate Probers He
Had No Other Duties.
CONTINUED From First Page

there was no statement at present. he
said that no summons had yet been
received by Mr.. Shearer himself for
Shearer's appearance.
Chairman Shortridge of the subcom-
mittee outlined the scope of the inveSti-
CATION before calling any witnesses. He
read from the Senate resolution direct
ing the inquiry, showing that the In
vestigation was limited to the alleged
activities at the Geneva naval confer
ence and the preparatory conference
in 1927 and 1926, respectively. of Will
liam B. Shearer and the shipbuildlng
companies.
The first witness called to the stand
was Clinton L. Bardo of Camden preSl-
dent of the New York Shipbuilding Co.,
which is owned by the American Brown
8overi Electrical Corporation.
Asks Shearer Be Heard.
Before Mr. Bardos testimony was be-
gun, Judge Daniel F. Cohalan. attorney
iur MI. Shearer. addressed the COM
mittee. and strongly urged that. as a
matter of fair play, that Shearer be
heard first.
Judge Cohalan said that he was the
attorney for Shearer in the suit brought
by him in the Supreme Court Of New
York for compensation alleged to be
due Shearer from the shipbuilding
companies.
"The resolution Of the Senate" said
Judge Cohalan, directs the subcom-
mittee to find out what Mr.. Shearer
did. at whose instance he did 1t, and
what reports. II any, he made. sub
NIT that long line Of presidents show
that the man who makes charges should
be called in order to say what he did
and what his instructions were. Mr..
Shearer should be asked first what he
did and what his instructions were from
these companies at Geneva and else
where.
This mans rights. in sense, are
being invaded by this procedure. We
understand that the committee cannot
try the issue involved in the suit which
must be determined in New York courts.
However. at the instance Of the Presi-
dent largely, this man has been charged
whit having opposed his Government.
He has been given no opportunity to
make a statement in any form. I have
brought him here and he is ready to
answer questions If the committee de-
sires to hear him. In all fairness to
a man who has fought in two wars
and as matter of fair play he should
be heard"
Opportunity TO State Case.
Senator Shortridge interrupted Judge
Cohalan.
THE committee" said Senator Short
ridge, has deemed it proper to pro-
lected. Mr.. Shearer will be called in
all probability to testify before the
committee in due order. He will be
given full opportunity to state his case"
Judge Cohalan contended that in
long line Of presidents which he mad
examined he found only one in which
a witness was heard before the man
bringing the charges had been heard.
Mr.. Shearer is here" continued
any questions. He insists that he should
not be heard at the close Of a long
investigation. He did nothing at the
Geneva conference but uphold the adj
niinistration then existing in this coun-
try and his country"
The Interrogation of Mr.. Bardo by
Chairman Shortridge followed. Mr..
Bardo explained to the committee the
organization of the American Brown
Boveri Electrical Corporation and of
the New York Shipbuilding Co. and
his own connection with both. For
many years he said, he had been an
oficial of the New York. New Haven
& Hartford Railroad, but he became
vice president in 1925 of the American
Brown Boveri Electrical Corporation. In
October, 1928, he said, the New York
Shipbuilding Co. had been segregated
from the Brown corporation and he had
been made president Of that company.
Nothing to Hold Back.
He told the committee that his company
had nothing to reveal or to hold back
in any way: that the books of the
company could be examined If neces-
sary
Does your company have any con-
tract to build ships for the Govern
ment?" asked Senator Shortridge.
The Salt Lake City cruiser" an
swered Mr.. Bardo, land the machinery
for the Pensacola, another cruiser.
which is being constructed in the New
York Navy Yard"
Mr.. Bardo told the committee how the
contract for constructing the Salt Lake
City had been turned over to his COM
pany by the Cram Co., which originally
obtained the contract. The latter COM
pany, he said, was In financial dim
culties and approached his company
in the matter.
Bardo said that the Cramp Co. de-
faulted in its contract for building the
cruiser Salt Lake City, and that his
company took over the contract as
new one. This cruiser, he added, is
nearing completion and the oficial
trial is to be held within few weeks.
The companys other cruiser contract
Is about 70 per cent completed, Bardo
said. In addition to these contracts,
the company has new contracts award
ed it in connection with the building
Of the last group of cruisers.
Informed Through Press.
In reply to questions from the chair.
Bardo testified that in January, 1925,
he was In Camden, N. j., and there
learned from the newspapers Of the
conference at Geneva between the
United States and other countries. He
said he learned of the purposes and
detectives Of the conference also
through the press.
what were those purposes as you
learned them?" Senator Shortridge
asked
"The limitation of ornaments" the
witness replied.
did not those purposes arouse your
INTEREST,"" asked the chairman.
NO wasn't greatly interested. be-
cause I was too busy at that time with
the affairs of the shipbuilding COM
pany." 800
Asked If he had discussed the 1925
preparatory conference with the direc-
tors or other officials of his company.
Sardo said he had no recollection of
having done this and insisted he had
no great interest in the conference at
that time.
The witness explained that there
were provisions already in the cruiser
contract under which the Government
could discontinue work on the vessels
at any time, and that he felt there was
nothing I'VE could do about 1t.
"You say you we're not interested IN
the 1926 conference. But were you not
an officer or a stockholder of your COM
pany?" said the chairman.