Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-03
'CL|NT|C PRAISES
ARMS DELEGATION
Hoover's Failure to Name
Officers Defended by
Representative.

On the heels of the voicing Of a de.
tense of President Hoover for failing
to place naval officers on the United
States delegation to the London Arms
Conference by Representative Nc
Clinttc of Oklahoma 1t became appar-
ent today that the delegates will be
kept at work here until the last mo-
ment.
President Hoover is to be warmly
congratulated for appointing members
of the commission that represent the
American people," McClintic said in a
statement, rather than the officers of
the United States Navy"
He took exception to the stand taken
in New York by Rear Admiral Bradley
A. Fiske, retired, that a mistake had
been made because no naval officers
were appointed to the London confer
eY1ce.
Judgment of President.
when it is taken into consideration
that the Sorriest mess ever exposed to
the American public" McClintic said,
was the proceedings at Geneva at the
last Armament Conference, which were
conducted by a commission the ma
jority of whom were naval officers, ably
assisted by representative of certain
shipbuilderS, 1t easily can be understood
why President Hoover has used such
good Judgment in appointing the kind
of a commission that will not be domi-
mated by those who have selfish in
terest to serve"
McClintic referred to the activities of
william B. Shearer, naval lobbyist,
which recently were investigated by a
Senate committee.
"As to Shearer's effect on the Geneva
conference" McClintic continued, 'it
is now known that n had the CO.
operation Of Admirals narles P. Plum
kett, H. A. Wiley, wv. Pratt, J. M.
Reeves, F. H. ScofieN and Comdr. H. G.
Train and H A. Frost.
His work was so satisfactory that
one officer in the naval intelligence said
that If Mr.. Shearer was paid $4,000, 900,
he would be still underpaid.
I'm addition, the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy and many other officers Of
the Navy knew of this unholy combina-
ton, yet not q word was ever given to
the public until Shearer squealed. In
fact, every one knew this except Ad-
miral Hileary p. Jones; and, although
It Is claimed he did not cooperate with
Shearer. there are but few people in
the United States who will believe that
he assumed q different attitude than
that which was put forth by all Of the
other naval officers who co-operated
with Shearer."
McClintic said in explaining his
statement that the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy to whom he referred was
Theodore Douglas Robinson, under
Secretary Wilbur"
If the program now set for the de-
parture Of the delegation Is adhered
to, New York City will have to wait
until the delegates return from abroad
to catch glimpse Of them.
Start Next Thursday.
The whirlwind leaye-taking now in
prospect would keep the delegates and
their party constantly en- route from
the time of leaving Washington until
they arrive In England. A special
train will ISteam from the Capital at
9 am. next Thursday with the entire
party. from Secretary StimSon down,
aboard, arriving at the Exchange Place
Station. in Jersey City, at 1880 pm.
The group Is to be taken immediately
by bus to the steamship George WASH
ington at its pier In Hoboken. The
time for the ships departure is set
tentatively at 2 pm, or as soon as all
baggage is aboard.
Two days before the delegates de-
part, however. President Hoover will
pay them the ANAL compliment of an
early morning breakfast. The princi-
pal members OF the delegation and all
the technical advisers have been in
Hited. The hour set for this function
b Sis am.