Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-27
HOOVER CITES NEED
FOR STRONG NAVY;
NATION CELEBRATES
Holds Force Should Be Ca
pable of Coping With Any
invaders.
NAVY DAY OBSERVANCE
HERE CENTERS AT YARD
Fighting Ships and Gun Shops
Opened to Public and Aviators
Stage Exhibition.

With the assurance Of President
Hoover that he regards as of prime i'm
portance the maintenance of a Navy
capable of coping with a foreign foe.
the Nation today turned its attention
to Navy day In gala spirit. Washing
tons observance conferred at the navy
yard here, where four vessels, decked
out in multi-colored flags, joined with
Marines and civilians in holding open
house. Crowds began to arrive shortly
after the yard opened, ut 8 o'clock.
10000 Visitors by Noon.
Shortly before noon navy yard ON
cials announced that 40 900 visitors had
entered the gates to see the show in
progreSs-the ships. the famed Navy
Band playing concerts periodically dur
ing the day, the IRE drills and the ac-
tivities of the civilian workmen Last
year, the officials asserted, there were
100000 visitors to the local yard, and
they expected that this record win be
exceeded by Sundewn. The navy yard
Is to remain open until 8 O'Clock this
afternoon.
President Hoover's statement. issued
as feature OF the Navy day celebra-
ton, follows: Navy day offers q spe.
claI opportunity for national consider
alton OF our defense and an opportunity
70 express national appreciation to the
d BODY OF men who give SO high service
The first necessity of our Govern
ment Is the maintenance of q Navy so
efnctent and strong that. in conilinc-
ton with our Army, no enemy NAV
ever invade our country The commando
ing ofiicerS Of our forces inform me that
efficiency.
Force Of Defense"
ours is a force of defense. not Of
tense. To maintain less than that
strength is to destroy national safety:
70 maintain greater forces is not only
economic injury to our people but
threat against our neighbors and would
pe righteous cause for tll-will among
them. Our problem Is to assure the
adjustment OF our forces to the mini
mum based upon the outlook in the
world; to strive for lower armament
throughout the whole world; Ia promote
GOOD VIII among nations to Conduct
our military activities with rigid
economy to prevent extremists on one
side from undermining the public win
TO support our necessary FORCES, and to
prevent extremists on the other side
from waste Of public funds.
We are fortunate In having q NAVY
with long, high-spirited tradition. II
possesses personnel of officers and
men who have never been excelled in
our whole history. The Nation has rea-
son for confidence in their ability"
Visitors Are Impressed.
Visitors to the Washington Navy
Yard today were impressed with the
Presidents confidence In the forces
afioat, for decks we're stripped for ac-
ton, gun crews were at their quarters.
divers we're going below in their dubious
helmets. aviators were Swimming aloft
in the cloud-fiecked sky and civilian
workers were pouring tons of molten
metal and giving gltmpses into the
great gun factory-all because Of Navy
day.
The four vessels at the Washington
Navy Yard to give. landlubbers and old
salts a closeup of some of the Ma
tion'S fighting craft are the light
cruisers Richmond and Memphis. the
destroyer Herbert and the subna-
rine Rs.
out at the Naval Observatory visitors
were streaming through its portals, get
ting q flrst-nand view of the scientific
aspect of naval work Tonight those
with special cards will be enabled TO
look through the big telescopes at the
great, round harvest moon and the
myriad of stars in the October sky. II
the weather Is clear.
Hurley Sends Message.
Secretary Hurley addressed this mes
sage to Secretary Adams and directed
that Army craft fly the signal flags for
full dress ship:
May Navy day, 1891, recall to the
American people the Navy Departments
splendid achievement in their service
and the conspicuous part 1t has played
in defending their ideals. The Army
that has served beside you in peace and
war appreciates your unselfish devotion
to national defense and extends its best
wishes for your continued success"
Gen. Douglas Macarthur. the Armys
chief of staff. sent to Admiral William
". Pratt, chief of naval operations,
(Cortinued on Page 2, Column g.