Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-14

Comment on the Navy Leagues con-
trcversy with President Hoover shows
many shades of opinion as to the needs
of national defense. Some papers hold
that because of the leagues unomcial
character, its statements m criticism OF
the President should have been ignored.
Others are convinced that the matter
viii md its way into Congress. There
Is substantial support for the verdict
President that the league was wrong
In its criticisms.
Prospects OF "a grand inquisition by
Congress" are declared by the New
York sun to provoke memories Of the
covers the Strand magazine used to
display o generation ago." which might
show q pretty girl reading q copy OF
the Strand; the magazine she was read
ing would show on its cover the same
pretty girl reading . copy Of the Strand
and so on, ad inflnttum." The Sun con-
eludes that "the committee OF nve
wrote its report too carefully and at
too great length" adding that 'if there
are sequels, 1t Is hoped that they are
models of accuracy, politeness and
brevity"
While inclined to believe that. cas- q
matter Of fact, Mr.. Hoover has right
ON his side" the Roanoke Times sug-
gests that "the President ought to have
realized that the report Of commit
tee of his own selection would carry no
great weight" and that probably VIII
liam H. Gardiner. head Of the Navy
League, would not have any dimcuity
in picking q committee which would
reach diametrically opposite cenciu-
Sions."
+ 4
1.-THE layman," according TO the Buzz
falo Evening News, takes no stock IN
advocates, who always make q men
ace to advance in support OF their de-
mands for greater naval appropriations
and enlarged building programs. Inc
layman can see no reason for the great
ado about the cut in naval expendi-
lures" The Lexington Leader con.
tends that the Presidents plan does not
weaken the Navy in way to cause any
uneasiness," and that "the Navy League
Is crying wolf, wolf when there Is no
wolf" The San Francisco Chronicle
advises that "pacifists and 1ingoes com,
bine to prove that American naval
problems should be approached on the
line of common sense and not with the
blind fervor that carries zealots OF
either extreme to ridiculous or oneh-
siye Misrepresentation"
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram Pc
lieveS that the present administrator
has SUFFICIENT legitimate trouble ana
grief over problems of crisis Vaiues
without being aggravated py oreanAa-
tons Of the 'TopSy' classincation-un
less they exist for reasons not YET MACY
clear to the public" That paper noius
that there are many more mpors an
subjects than an alleged starved Navy
A few million people fearing that con-
dition Is the real concern"
Control Of the Navy League mas
passed to O Clique of self-seeking, meu-
dlesome individuals" thinks the san
Jose Mercury Herald, while the Wheel
ing Intelligencer, justifying the action
of President Hoover, AYERS that silence
In this instance would have created tne
public impression that Gardner was
justified In his charges" The Haiu-
more Sun offers the estimate o. sne
controversy: 1.-THE League II an organl-
sation which thrives ON controversy.
It never gets the ear Of the public SO
effectively q when some person ot
prominence In public life digntnes lts
eutgivings with q formal reply" The
ASbuYy Park Press states: "Eeeareicss
Of the facts In the case, public sent.
ment rests ON the side Of Mr.. Hoover.
The Roanoke Wcrld-News holds that
ut Is seriously to be doubted that tne
Navy League head was very wen ae-
quainted with the facts"
Regardless Of any injustice that may
have been done Mr.. Hoover" says tne
Louisville Courier Journal, "the pubic
does not understand why he seems 90
lacking in o sense Of humor, ana tne
President Of the United States seems
so lacking in sense OF the ntness OF
things as thus to magnify the Gardner
allegation" =. -, =.
What IL It all over, what Will "
amount tor" asks the Newark Evening
News, with the comment: THE one
thing In which the public might be
greatly interested-that Il. who are De-
Hind the Navy League prcpaganda-is
naA AeaiehAA IN Aha aOl.arniktAA,a YaD0It.