Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-21
HEARING MARKED
BY VERBAL CLASH
Johnston and Hurley WrangIe
Over War Policies Board
Purpose.

Hearings before the War Policies
Commission TODAY we're enlivened by an
exchange of words between Mercer G.
Johnston of the Peoples Legislative
Service and Secretary of War Hurley,
commission chairman over the QUESTION
OF whether the promotion Of peace has
ben sufficiently emphasized in the
commissions work.
Johnston pointed out that the pro-
motion of peace was listed in the reso-
luton as one of the objects of creating
the commission. but he declared the
commissions name is against it,
IT would have looked better to the
world" Johnston said If some other
than the warrior member OF the cabinet
had been named chairman"
When Johnston had finished his
statement. Chairman Hurley vigorously
challenged what he said he regarded
ss the inference Of the witness that
the chairman was 8 militarist. Secre-
tary Hurley, in reply. told Johnston
that he has tried to impress on every
witness that the purpose of the ccm-
mission is TO pre- mote peace. He added
however, that Congress has assigned
specific task to the commission. namely
TO recommend means OF equalizing the
burdens end minimizing the profits OF
Secretary Hurley added, proposes 70 do
It's duty.
After what you have said. I think !
en- more res sonsble pactfist than you
ere. Secretary Hurley told Johnston.
Johnston replied that he is not re-
garded as a paciflst. and does not belong
to any orga nization Of that Kind. John
stofl also told the secretary he had not
intended his testimony regarding the
chairmans position as personal.
Urges Move for League.
Johnston in the course Of mis- testi-
mony. recommended that the United
States should move toward a League OF
Nations, should take q leading role
toward dtsaTt1snient. end should also
take the lead in bringing about sn in
ternationRl economic conference. He
also renewed the recommendation Of
Representa- tive La GusrdIs, that In the
event Of another war, all life and oil
property be placed at the disposal Of
the Government, With equal provision
for everyone
Secretary Hurley and Senator Robin
son Of Arkansas Questioned the witness
at some length IS 10 how he would at
tempt 10 equalize the burdens Of eny
future war
The commission also heard today
from Dr.. Arthur DeeIin Csn Of the
American Peace Society and Walter S.
Gift ord. president Of the American I eIe-
phone d. Telegraph Co. DR.. Call said
the Bsruch plan was carefully preps ed
but he do not believe freezing of com
modify prices On any given date in the
event Of war could possibly result In
equal treatment OF ell producers and
consunlers. Ia response u questiC MS
DR.. Call said that 50 long ss the Army
OF this country remains small he did
not see how sny nation could regard
America ss danger OF q menace.
Disarmament Urged.
Fro@ning on preparation as q means
of preventing war q group Of witnesses
appeared h.fofe ;he commission yes
terdsy afternoon. urging rbis Govern
menI 70 focus It's attention Oh disc rmS-
ment end other proposals gor sveTtIuk
future vars.
Norman Thomas former Socis list
candidate for President. told the COM
mission the proper concern OF the
United States hL this time should be
peace policies. not war policies Mr
Thomas criticized the military air ma
neuvers now in progress ss badly timed
Tor theIf enect Oh ELTope in re lstion TO
oiaaImsment and said The maneuyers
only prove the probs bility Of human
snHihila tion Ia the next war
Education OF the public 70 peaceful
mesns OF settling controversies rather
tn % preparation tot war vas sdvocs ted
w Ihcter y. Smith secretary OF the
Commute oG AilltarIsm la Education.
Christ " Caesar"
John Neyin Sayre, ekeclLlve secretary
u the Fellowship OF ReconciIist ton
mace plea sgsinSt military conscrip-
Lion- declaring II never belongea In the
Tree atmosphere Of America. He said
consumption forces Christians 70 choose
between Christ ana Caesar"
MISS Dorothy DetZec executive secre-
tSry VI the Womens Interna tional
League Iof Peace sno Ffeeooin, said that
instead OF smendinS the Constitution
70 PROVIDE Tor CONSUMPTION Of wealth ss
wen sS msnpower the system Of con-
scflption should 6e abolished entirely.
she said tins woula he one u tt.e most
effective means Tor promoting peace.
EhfH:r Assistant Secretary OF the
IL ssufS Atthu B3il3ntine RECON-
Dended taxation as a msaas u tecau-
luflhE Lhe profits vi war period.