Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-06
LOYAL TO HOOVER,
ADAMS DECLARES
At HINT TO RESIGN
MCCIintic Makes Suggestion
Because Naval Views Are
"Not in Accord"
VOICE OF SECRETARY
BREAKS AS He REPLIES
Resents Implication by Oklahoma
Democrat That He Is Disloyal
to President.
BY the Associated Press.

oy the associated Press.
A Democratic suggestion that Secre-
tary Adams resign because he is not in
accord with President Hoovers naval
policies drew reply today from the
Navy Department head that he was
absolutely loyal"
Representative McClintic OF Okla
homa reminded the House Naval Com
mittee that Adams yesterday had ap-
proved bill for construction of $685.
100000 worth of new ships to bring the
United States up to the London naval
treaty allowance, although the Presi-
dent recently directed the Navy to cut
more than $4,000, 900 from the budget.
Then came the resignation mention,
The Navy head asked permission to
reply. With quaver in his voice he
said he knew "of no difference between
what I've testified here and the Presi-
dents attitude" II resent the implica-
ton" he added that I'm here in any
dlSloyalty to the President of the United
States"
Adams explained he had Endorsed the
Vlnson bill yesterday las a personal
preference"
Pratt Gives Warning.
Earlier Admiral Pratt, chief of naval
operations, testified that the countrv's
safety might be endangered if a salts
factory naval program is not author
lied by Congress.
Inc chief OF naval operations con-
tended the Vinson bill, which calls for
construction of 6l6,25O, 900 worth of
ships over 10-year period, should be
enacted.
What would be the effect if the To-
year program were not inaugurated?"
Chairman Vinson asked.
L can remember the time when it
became necessary for the country 10
embark on tremendous program for
battleships," Pratt replied.
When we came to adjust the picture
IN IN 1872, the net result was 1926 ,000,-
600 to $3.50 1000, 900 loss.
Unless We build up to treaty
strength, don't see how a Navy off,
Navy"
Then Vinson asked:
II we don't provide that treaty
strength, We don't provide the country
the security it demands?"
said.
Prefers 10-Year Plan.
Vinson asked whether a system of
year-by-year authorization and con-
struction instead of a 10-year schedule
would provide an efficient Navy from a
military standpoint.
L should say by no means" Pratt
answered.
The suggestion that Secretary Adams
possibly should resign was presented
oy representative McCintic while the
committee was continuing its hearings,
on the construction bill which would in
crease the feet to treaty limits. Rep
resentative McClintic said:
yesterday Secretary Adams, testi-
Tying before this committee, made the
statement that the President of the
United States had not been consulted
with respect to the proposed naval
building program bill amounting to more
than S700,000000
President Hoover is the commander
ln-chief Of all our military forces. If he
mas not been consulted in regard to the
military program, then, as I view it, it
Is the duty of all subordinateS to &C
quaint him with any policy they desire
to see put into effect.
Resignation Suggested.
If Secretary Adams has not done
this, then l cannot see how he can ap-
pear before this committee and act in
good faith to the President. If Secre-
tary Adams is not in accord with the
PRESIDENTS views on matters of vital
interest to the Nation and the world,
then, following the precedents estab-
lished by william Jennings Bryan and
others while serving in the cabinet. he
should tender his resignation"
Adams, who was in the crowded COM
mlttee room listening to the testimony
OF Admiral Pratt, arose and asked to
be heard in reply.
Il am absolutely loyal to the Presi-
dent" the Navy Secretary said with a
quaver in his voice. II know of no dif-
ference between what I've testified here
and the Presidents attitude. 1 resent
the implication that I'm here in any
dlSloyalty TO the President Of the United
States"
Chairman VinSon assured Secretary
Adams there was nothing in the record
to show he was being disloyal.
Britten Takes Hand.
Representative Britten of Illinois,
ranking Republican of the committee,
asked the admiral about a construction
program the Navy General Board drew
up in the Summer. 1t called for a
much smaller program than the meas
ure Vinson is sponsoring, Pratt said,
adding it never got out of the Navy
Department"
Pratt said he told Secretary Adams
1t might be embarrassing" to present
the bill to the Chief Executive. Mr..
Hoover then was urging slashes in
naval expenditures
IF that might have been embar-
RAISING, I wonder what Mr.. Wilson'S
bill did to him yesterday" Britten re-
marked.