The Washington times., 1931-10-30
PRESIDENTS
CHALLENGE
ACCEPTED
Gardiner, In Reply to Execu-
tive, Offers No Apology;
Adams May Be Involved
(continusd From Page -


point members Of the Navy
League on his new commission,
was taken as a guarantee against
q one-sided presentation Of evi-
dence.
That some Of the Nays ad-
mirals would be called upon to
testify in behalf Of the White
House appeared probable, and at
the same time 1t seemed certain
they would be placed in an en-
barrassing position If 50 sum.
moned.
All Of them are reputed to
agree with the Navy Leagues
program for large sea defense.
At the same time the President
is their commander.in-chief.
The Executive, In issuing this
demand for personal satisfaction
from the Navy's chief public
champion, was making good his
threat Of several weeks ago to
"carry to the public" his fight
against those who have been
conducting a newspaper back.
fire" at his efforts to reduce the
naval budget by $61, 100000.
Mr.. Gardiner was quick to &C.
cept the challenge. Refusing-by
virtue Of the language Of his
counter statement-to proffer the
demanded apology, the Navy
League head expressed surprise
the President should appoint a
commission to delve into the
merits Of the situation.
Welcomes Investigation
He said he understood Con-
gress was the investigating branch
Of the Government, and added:
"Of course, / should welcome
Congressional investigation that
would bring out and publish al
the pertinent facts"
Mr.. Hoover recently sent back
. proposed Navy budget for the
fiscal year 1932-33 with instruc-
tions 1t be cut $61, 100000.
Secretary Adams, after some
consultation with the admirals in
charge Of operation, returned q
revised budget that eliminated
approximately $5O.000,O00 by clos.
ing the Boston and Charleston
Navy Yards, abandoning the frig.
ate Constitution, dissolving the
Navy Band, and undertaking
other cancellations certain to stir
UP intense sectional political dis
Sension.
The President demurred against
tieing up the Constitution and
Scrspping the band. Delegations
from Massachusetts, and South
Carolina expressed confidence the
Boston and CharleStown yards
would continue to function.
Later IL was reported MIR.
Hoover and Secretary Adams had
had hot words over the scaling OF
the budget. Secretary Adams has
been identified as q ''big navy"
man ever since his assumption Of
office, and reports persisted he
was resisting the Administration
economy drive on his department.
Resents Ignorance Charge
In any event, Mr.. Gardeners
charges had made a fighting
Quaker" out Of the President. He
resented so much the allegation
he is ignorant Of the country's
naval needs that he made q pub
lie reply to q statement which
seemed only part Of q series.
Mr.. Gardner had said Mr..
Hoover had shown his 'abysmsl
ignorance when he made his pro-
posal some time ago that food
ships should be immunized In
time Of war. Further, he alleged
British and Japanese interests
would be served to the prejudice
Of the American navy If the
United States agreed to the
League Of Nations proposal for a
one-year holiday on warship
building.
To these charges, the Presi-
dent issued the following formal
statement in which Mr.. Gardi-
ner'S name is miSspelled through
out:
'"The Navy League states I'm
It's announcements that it has
for q quarter Of q century spe-
CtaliZed I'm accurate information
as to Navy matters and the
principal activity Of the league
is to disseminate facts bearing
ON Navy matters to the press
'Tn order that the country
may know the untruth and dis
tOrtiOnS Of fact in Chairman
Gardner'S recent pronounce
ment, I will appoint a COM
lnittee, including members Of i
the Navy League, to whom
agencies Of the Government will
demonstrate these untruths and
distortions Of fact. Such an
inquiry will absOlve the mem
berS Of the league who have
mot participated In this state
ment. Upon It's completion I
shall expect Mr.. Gardner to
make . public correction Of his
misstatementS and an apology
therefor.
'Tt is desirable for the public
60 know the character Of this
Indirect campaign Of misinfOr-
lnation to defeat the effort of
the high officials Of the Navy
Department and the Administra-
tiOn for reduction Of Federal
expenditures not Immediately
essential In order that we may
avoid increased taxation Of the