The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-31

tempting to start "backf1re' against his economy program.
 MT. Hoover acted suddenly an6 emphatically when the Navy League over the signature of its president, William Howard Gardi. ner charged him with "abysma ignorance" of the proper function of a navy, and other shortcomings The president followed up his de nunciation of Gardiner's broadside with a White House explanation that the purpose of his investiga- tion is in part ''to show the true purpose of these falsehoods and the people who are interested ir propagandiZing them."
 He is ready to announce his committee as soon as the navy bership from which re wishes to select some of the committee mem berS.
 An attempt will be made to de- termine if Gardiner issues his crit icism of President Hoover on. hls own initiative, if the represents the sentiment of the navy league as an organization and if he received any inspiration from inside the navy itself.
 He is favorably known to many navy officers. Thought not a navy man, Gardiner, one officer said, could stand up in a debate on sea- power against anyone.
 Naval officers were inclined to welcome the investigation, feeling that the case for g. larger navy would receive a public hearing. On the other hand, any contracts Gardiner may have had with navy officers if exjosed might have con- quences for those involved.
 Gardiner appears a triple stun ned but uncowed by MT Hoover's unexpected shot. He showed no inclination to offer the apology re- quested. He is working amid rows of filing cabinets, stuffed with naval data and tonnage tables, aided by two men and three wo- men assistants. collecting his am intuition. ..~ n"
 For ten years this retired engin- ger, long a partner of Henry L. Doherty in Public Utilities man. agement, has worked without pay, turning out a bewildering flood of pamphlets advocating a larger navy, firing broadsides at the Washington and London naval treaties, overlooking no chance.
 He was dining with Rear Admir- al Hilary Jones, retired, former head of the navy general board and severe critic of the admins tration naval limitation policy, when he was informed of MT Hoover's demand for an apology.
 The navy league came under at tack in congress last February when Rep. Burton French, chair man of the house naval appropria tions subcommittee challenged the league to reveal its army, navy and marine membership and to say to what extent it's members were in- terested in concerns which might profit from naval contracts.
 Replying, Walter Bruce Howe, chairman of the board of the league, said it had no active officers of any service branch in its mem bers though it had 10 retired ad- mirals and an equal number of lesser retired officers on the rolls. He denied any ulterior interests in the leagues activities and said it's officers had not received requests concerning its policy from any in dividual or concern that might be considered a direct beneficiary of naval expansion or naval expendi- ture."
 (By the United Press)
 The New York Herald Tribune, strong administration newspaper and also concerned a "big navy" advocate, to-day declared the navy dispute was not an issue of free speech but one of "untruths," Ties" and deliberate misstate- ments."
 Pending the inquiry, it is to be recorded" the Herald Tribune said, that despite the strong language usede the first error of fact in the (navy) Leagues statement has yet to be pointed out"
 "In view of its long and honor able record for both patriotism and acuracy the league seems to us