The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-09-10
President Defends
Admiral Jones and
Denies Connection

Continued From Page One)
ings whatsoever with the participants
IN the conference.
Shearcr also denied specifically
that he had received confidential
naval information from Rear Ad-
mirals Samuel s. Robinson. Charles
p. Plunketh. william v, Pratt and
Henry A. Wiley.
Has Confidential File
Secretary Adams. late yesterday, as
serted his confidence there had been
no improper relations between Shear
CT and high ranking officers of tho
navy. Shearer is bringing to WASH
ington with him what he says is a
confidential file from the intelligence
service Of the navy department which
was the source of information he
gave to the press at Geneva. This,
he asserted, vas sent him anony-
nOusly in an unstampcd official
business envelope OF the navy de-
partment just before he sailed for
Europe.
A senate committee investigation Is
expected to bring to Washington Of
ficials Of the three shipbuilding COM
panies that arc defendants in Shear
er's suit-The Bethlehem Shipbuild-
ing Corporation. The American
Brown Boveri Electric Corporation
and the Newport News Shipbuildine
and Dry Dock Company. II the in
formation that Shearer says was sent
to him anonymously should prove OF
importance. high officials of the navy
also will be asked to appear.
Washington. Sept. l0.-R,-A letter
from E. G. Grace. president Of the
Bethlehem Steel corporation. made
public at the White House today, said
the company had severed connections
with William B. Shearer as soon as
it. had determined he was Z propa-
gandist.
The letter. addressed to President
Hoover. was In response to q state
mcnt by the chief executive saying he
could not believe directors OF ship
building corporations had a direct
part In Shearer's activities but that
their statement Of the case" was
desired.
Shearer was employed BY the Beth
lehem Steel corporation. Gracc's let
ter said. to act as an observer at tho
Geneva disarmament conference for
a 81. 900 fee. or which Bethlehem was
to pay q third.
Active Propaxandisl'
The communication added that rs
soon. however. Is Charles M. 6chwab
and Grace ascertained Shearer had
for years been IAN active propagan-
dist" regarding American naval po-
ltcieS the connection was severed.
Mr.. SchwAb and I soon ascertained
that Mr. 6hcarer was and had been
for years an active propagandiSt re-
gardtng the naval policies Of the
United States. We felt the employ
ment Of such a man rs an observer
was In conflict with the policy to
which the Bethlehem interests had
strictly adhered OF refraining from
participation In propaganda intended
to influence the naval and military
policies of the United States govern.
Iaent.
1T was after this termination OF
his employment that Mr.. Shearcr ad-
vanced for the first time. I am in
formed. his claim against the ship
building company for compensation
In much larger amounts than he had
already received.
Deny Shcarer's Claim
"Mr. Shcarer'S claim in his pend
Ing suit against M company and
two other shipbuilding companies
that he had been employed by US
to any greater extent than stated or
that he is entitled to compensation
beyond the amounts already paid to
him Is entirely without foundation.
Bethlehem has nothing to conceal
regarding its share In the employ
lment Of Mr.. Shearer and ne shall b
glad to furnish any further informa.
ton on the subject you DESIRE"