Evening star., 1935-03-12
SHEARER D|SRUPTS
MUN|T|ON HEARING
IN WILD SESSION
Big Navy Advocate Moves
on Members at Charge
of "CoWardIy."
NYE RESTORES ORDER
BY POUNDING TABLE
Witness Hurls "Anti-American"
Assertions at Prominent
Figures.
BY the Associated Pres g..

BY the Associated Pres
Assertions of "anti-American" were
hurled by William B. Shearer, big
Navy advocate. at several prominent
figures today in wild session before
the Senate Munitions Committee that
was brought to halt only by pound
ing Of the chairman's fist on a table.
Following a charge of "cowardly'
hurled at him by Senator Bone, DEM
ocrat, of Washington. Shearer bound
ed to his feet and advanced toward
the row of committee members.
Il don't like that term 'cowardly,'"
he shouted at Bone.
sit down." roared Senators Clark,
Democrat, of Missouri and Nye, Re-
publican, of North Dakota, the latter
committee chairman.
Nye stopped the hearing until
Shearer took mis- seat and soon after
recessed 1t without completing exam
ination Of the witness.
Testified on Operations.
The disturbance followed testimony
by Shearer covering his operations
as a big Navy advocate that saw
him active in both Washington ano
Geneva under circumstances thai
brought al inquiry in 1929 and 1896
following accusation that he hao
broken up" the 1927 Naval Limita
tions Conference.
He asserted he had been framed
at a previous hearing, part If the
testimony from which was introduced
into the present che, to indicate he
one time threatened to kill w
Wakeman. vice president of the Beth
lehem Shipbuilding Corp, and to
scandalize The industry in a dispute
over pay TOR propaganda.
The description of "cowardly" was
hurled by Senator Bone when he
contended Shearer was attempting to
hide behind the skirts of Hearst" in
publishing list of men he considered
"un-American and unpatriotic."
Roosevelt in List.
In the list of names published in
a pamphlet he wrote in 1923 entitled
The Cloak of Benedict Arnold" was
that of Franklin D. Roosevelt as an
advocate of the World Court. It was
listed under an editorial, "Knaves or
Fools" which Shearer published in
the pamphlet without credit. He told
the committee it was a Hearst edi-
torial.
"And you lkened President Roose-
welt to Benedict Arnold, is that what
you mean?" Bone shot at him.
That is Hearst editorial" Shearer
countered.
But you published 1t without giving
him any credit" Bone insisted.
Aren't you the author of this docu-
ment?"
Shearer said he had not called the
President "knave or a fool" or i'm
piled he was another Benedict Arnold.
Are you SO cowardly that you hide
behind the cloak of Hearst's news
papers?' Bone shot at him.
Advances Toward Desk.
Il don't like that word cowardly."
Shearer declared. His advance toward
the desk was stopped by Nyes order,
but only after he flung over his
shoulder:
Then stop hurting that cowardly
stuff
Bone said he would withdraw the
charge land let it be known that you
are brave man."
Shearer claimed William Randolph
Hearst, the publisher, had contributed
from time to time to his activities
in favor of big Navy.
He added Hearst financed the suit
to be filed in an effort to prevent
sinking of the unfinished battleship
Washington in 1924.
did Mr.. Hearst contribute to your
trips abroad in 1926 and 1922" Sen
ator Clark asked. referring to his trips
to arms conferences in Geneva.
NO" Shearer replied, ''he didn't
come aboard until 1929"
He said shipbuilders had financed
his trips, mentioning various sums of
expense money given him, ranging
from $4,000 downward.
"I was to be paid salary of $25 900
a year." he declared.
He said he did not 60 to Geneva
"openly" as a representative of ship
builders, but permitted it to be
understood" he was financed by
various patriotic organizations.
Shearer, in a loud voice and aggres-
sive manner, told the committee he
had never performed an act in con-
nection with his propaganda that did
not have the approval of the Navy"
Then he asserted that because he
had exposed" the legal advisor to
Frank B. Kellogg, Secretary of State
in 1927, for "trickery against the best
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