The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-02-22
ICKES D|SAPPR0VED
USE Of FUNDS FOR
WARSH|P BUILDING
Administrator Tells. Senators
$685. 600, 900 Was Allotted
by Executive Order
SHES At SOME QUESTIONS
Money May Have Been Used to
Buy Munitions, Not to In.
crease Employment


Washington, Feb. 22.-(R-Alloca-
ton Of $23s, 1000 900 Of public works
funds to the Navy for warship con-
struction was declared Friday by Sec
rotary Ickes, pWA administrator. to
have been done by executive order
without his express approval.
Appearing before the senate muni-
lions committee to explain why such
q sum had been awarded, he said that
naval construction was providing less
immediate employment than many
other" types Of work financed by the
$500, 000, 900 PWA fund set up by
congress in 1888.
IF the matter had been left exclu-
sively to you to choose would you have
allocated $238, 100000 to the Navy"
asked Chairman Nye R-ND).
Objects to Question
II don't think should be asked to
answer that question" 1ckes parted.
"You have already testified that
you found other types Of expenditure
afforded quicker employment" Nye
said.
"Yes," the interior secretary said,
II have"
At the termination Of Ickes' exam.
ination. william B. Shearer, big navy
propaganda, stepped forward to
testify but was met BY . committee
declaration that he must wait . while.
It was the second postponement Of
his appearance before the committee
to answer charges made earlier that
he had threatened death and scandal
to shipbuilders for allegedly refusing
him $250,000 he claimed was due for
services as q representative Of the
builders at the 1927 Geneva naval
conference.
Must Submit Exhibits
Senator Nye stopped Shearer with
the statement that he must first sub
nit his exhibits for study by the COM
mittee, and would be called probably
some time next week.
Ickes testified that Of the $685.
100000 ALLEGATION made in 1888 to the
navy department for shipbuilding,
only $66,54O,O00 had been spent by
January l, 1885.
The committee sought to bring out
that the ALLEGATION was arranged for
before the public works appropriation
was approved by congress, but the
secretary said he did not have such
knowledge.
Nye asked what control the public
works administration held over the
ALLEGATION to the Navy. whether GER
tain exemptions from PWA regula-
tions governing wages. hours. and
profits to private contractors were
not granted.
Ickes responded that construction
of warships was technical opera
ton" which the public works admin
1stration felt had better Be left to
the Navy.
Run Their Own Show
"They were given . free hand" he
said, ITO run their own show"
He added that the ALLEGATION was
made to the Navy to stimulate the
neaVy INDUSTRIES.
Ickes explained that in addition to
the original $23s, 000.0 900 about no.
100000 had been supplied In 1884 for
various naval activities other than
ship building.
WAS any Of that money used for
purchasing ammunition?" Senator
Clark (D.-Mo.) asked.
II don't know" Ickes said. but
It might have BEEN"
Ickes reviewed the early days Of the
public works administration, recalling
that upon its formation. 900. 000, 900
was earmarked In the bill for highway
purposes and the executive order came
down at once setting aside an addi-
tional $238, 000, 900 for naval construc-
ton.
"What was the central purpose Of
the public works act?" Nye asked.
II would rather be excused from |
answering that" the secretary said.
aren't We in accord that 1t was
to increase employment" the North
Dakotan continued.
Eyes"
How much OF the navy ALLEGATION |
is now under contract?" Nye saids
Il understand al Of It,"
Auti.War Bin Delayed
Meanwhile. the program-shaping |
q