Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-26
HOOVER IS SURE
He HAS AUTHORITY
7ODELAY CRUISERS
Interprets Adverse Reaction
as Due to Lack of Un-
derstanding.
FEELS ACT OF CONGRESS
IS PERFECTLY CLEAR
Law Gives Him Right to Suspend
Program Until June 80, 1881,
President Holds.

Regardless of the expressed views and
opinions of others, President Hoover is
satisfied that he has authority to order
a suspension in the naval construction
program.
Since the Presidents pronouncement
two days ago in answer to the speech
of Prime Minister Macdonald. in which
he announced that he would hold up
temporarily the construction of three
cruisers in this years program, there
has been published a difference OF
opinion regarding his authority to order
such a suspension. This reaction is
understood to have displeased the Pres
ident, not because of questioning his
authority but because of what appeared
to him to be lack of understanding.
The President has been represented
as feeling that the act of Congress fix
ing the naval construction program Is
perfectly clear and that his contention
at the same time question the authority
OF the Executive.
Basis of Conclusion.
It is known that Mr.. Hoover Is not
only sure that the law gives him au-
thority to hold up this years program,
but next years as well. In other words,
Mr.. Hoover's Interpretation of the law
gives him authority to suspend the pro-
gram until June 80, 1881.
He bases this conclusion upon that
part of the act which states after
enumerating the bearing of certain YES
sells, provided, that If the construction
of any vessel herein authorized to be
undertaken in the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1929, or 1880 is not under
taken in that fiscal year such construc-
tion may be undertaken in the next
succeeding fiscal year"
Therefore, Mr.. Hoover does not con-
ceive of anything in this act of Con-
gress not giving him full authority to
do just what he proposes to do.
During the two years consideration
of the new cruiser construction act in
Congress, one of the chief points at is
sue was over the time clause" or that
section of the act setting forth the
period in which the warcraft should be
built. >.. --e
The controversy over this section fire.
Quently was referred to as the contest
Between those desiring what was de-
scribed as a paper navy and those
seeking steel ships"
Called Paper Navy" Group.
These two claSSiflcations resulted
from the efforts of some members of
Congress to give the President discre-
tionary powers to suspend part or all
of the proposed construction If he
deemed the prospect of an internation-
al naval agreement warranted such ac-
ton.
Those supporting this view were de-
scribed as the paper navy" group by
members seeking definite limit upon
the time in which q start should be
made on all the ships.
AS finally enacted those favoring the
time clause contended that the new
building program would insure start
on all of the Is cruisers and one air.
craft carrier before July /, 1881.
The number of signs pointing toward
the convocation before next Spring OF
a preliminary naval limitation confer
ence of the world powers appear to
Washington observers of international
affairs to be multiplying with great
rapidity.
Although official information ON the
subject is lacking, they draw their chief
substance from analysis of the pro-
nouncementS by President Hoover and
Prime Minister Macdonald and meager
comments in other quarters generally
well acquainted with such matters
One of the signs into which the clear
est indication of such conference Is
being read Is the action of President
Hoover in postponing tn! construction
of the cruisers.
His manifest qualification over the
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