The Washington times., 1931-10-31
At ODDS
WITH HOOVER
ONPOL|C|ES
Differences Said to Date to
London Conference; Contro-
yersy Stirs Wide Speculation
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,yersy Stirs Wide Speculation
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naval policy. The Secretary has
made no secret of his big Navy"
leanings and he is in q position
to be. Indifferent as to his con-
tinuance in public life.
It was intimated strongly TO-
day that Secretary Adams would
have retired from office before
the present conflict arose, but
for the fear that q successor
with pronounced pacifiStic lean
ings might be chosen.
So long as he remains in
office and commits no overt act
to provide an excuse foE his
removal, he is in a position to
exert a modifying influence upon
the Administrators naval reduc-
tion policy.
Explains Gag Rule
That attitude is cited as the
real explanation Of the Navy's
land also of the Navy League'S)
request that Navy Day speakers
this year impose a voluntary
"gag" on themselves with re-
spect to discussions Of issues
such as naval parity. and the
advisability of building UP to
London Treaty strength.
It was recalled that the
urgent" Navy order relating to
such speeches went out within
O. few hours after Mr.. Adams re-
turned from a Cabinet meeting.
-Acquiescence Of the Navy
League in the voluntary "szc"
proposal was dictated, it IS Pc
Eeved, by q fear that If My
Day celebrations led to cOntrO.
verSies, Secretary Adams wOuld
be forced from the Cabinet. in
asmuch as the Navy cO-Operated
to a large extent in the days
program.
Avoids Open Break
So far, Secretary Adams, while
being careful to avoid open op-
position to the White House,
has refrained from any endorse
ment Of the budget pairing
program.
The reduced budget which he
finally presented under pressure
contained such politically cmbar.
rassing proposals as abolition Of
the Boston Navy Yard and the
Brooklyn Training Station, lay
ing up of the Constitution, and
breaking up the Navy Band.
That did not tend to increased
cordiality between the White
House and the Navy.
While it may be possible that
Adams will not be involved in
the proceedings Of the Presidents
proposed Apology Commission, /"
it is regarded as likely that a
showdown will be forced when
Congress reconveneS.
A Congressional Investigation
Of naval policy is regarded Is Q
probability, and If Secretary
Adams is called before q CON.
greSsiOnaI committee to express
his views, his friends say he will
tell the truth as he sees It, re.
gardleSs Of political consequences.
Jury" StirS Interest
Chief interest centered today
around the identity Of the Jury"
Mr.. Hoover will designate to
determine whether he is
"abysmally ignorant" Of the true
state Of Americas sea forces, as
charged by Mr.. Gardiner.
It was expected the committee
Of inquiry would be completed
today. The President last night
scanned a roster Of the Navy
Leagues membership, from which
he intends to pick q large por.
tion Of the group he confidently
expects will make Gardner
modify his words concerning
White House policies. Whether
the chairman, or prosecutor, .
will come from within the league
ranks, however, was problematf
cal.
League C1AAS N4G6SA0R
Mr.. Gardiner and Walter Bruce
Howe, chairman Of the board Oa
directors Of the league, were pre-
pairing fOT q specially called meet
ing of the leagues execWtivG
committee, which viii meet early
next week to consider the Presi
DENTAL challenge to Q public air
ing Of what lies back Of the
whole affair.
Rumors floated galore. It was
whispered Mr.. Hoover was loaded
for bear-that for three weeks hi
had been conducting an under
cover investigation into the sources
Of Navy League information with
special reference to whether any
line officers of the Navy had beer
furnishing the civilian organiza
ton with ammunition.
Britten to Ask Probe
Again, it was stated the Execu
tive was calling for a showdown
at this time and in this nannel
to stave off a congressional in
vestigation next December. Rep
reSentative Fred A. Britten (R.,
Of Illinois, leader of the ''bil
Navy forces in the House, alread.
has served notice he win press fol
such an inquiry.
Others said the President wa
employing his rather "Spectacula
offensive against Mr.. Gardine
and the Navy League in advance
Of the assembling Of Congress 81