The Washington times., 1936-03-04
VIEWS SOUGHT
ON HOUSING
IN ARMY
Administration Chiefs
Opposed, Fearing
New Outburst
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON
international Neys Service

"exiled" Mai. Gen. johnson Ha-
good during It's consideration OF
the $3.50, ,000, 900 War Department
bill was made today by Senator
Metcalf RO Of Rhode Island.
He suggested Hagood be heard
on Army housing conditions since
ha was commander Of the largest
CORDS area in the nation prior TO
his removal. 1t was for frankly
criticzing WPA expenditures IN
his Texas command that Hagood
was "exiled" by the War Depart
ment to his home in South Caro-
lima.
New Outburst Feared
Senator Dickinson CRO OF
Iowa. member of the Senate SUD-
Committee, considering the War
Department bill, indorSed Met
calls suggestion. He said Ha-
goods experiences as commander
of the Eighth Corps Area would
enable him to give valuable tes-
timony."
Administration leaders, how
ever. were opposed to the sum-
moning of Hagooc. They were
fearful the officer, already pun
ished for one outSpoken criticism
of administration spending, mlght
renew the criticism and create a
new problem.
Administration Spokes e n
meanwhile remained silent over
the charge of Representative
Bacon (R.) of New York that
President Roosevelt was person
ally responsible for the removal
Of Hagood as q corps commander.
Terrible Mistake
One prominent Democrat said
privately:
we've made . terrible mis-
take, / have nothing to say. The
sooner this thing is forgotten the
better it will be for all Of us
(DemOcratS)."
Metcalf, in explaining his re-
quest that Hagood be heard by
the Senate committee, said:
II think General HaEOOd
should be heard by the Senate
committee. He has had the ex-
peraence necessary to give us
good advice on the housing of
our Army. I understand he told
the House committee that some
Of his soldiers are living now In
quarters, worse than those &C.
cupfed by refugees In Belgium.
II that IL true, the Senate ought
to remedy their plight"
PROBE PRESSED
Metcalf, meanwhile announced
he would press for favorable &C
ton on his resolution for q Sen
ate inquiry into the punishment of
Hagood. His resolution is now be-
fore q Senate Military Affairs sub
committee, headed by Senator
Logan CD of Kentucky. Logan
announced he saw no reason for an
inquiry because everybody knows
the facts"
Metcalf, however, contended that
the War Department had acted
apparently without knowing the
facts" He called attention to the
statement Of Representative Blan.
ton I'D of Texas that Hagood'S s
testimony as revealed by the rec
ord Of the House hearings, had
been "tampered with" to the ex,
tent that it indicated Hagood had
bee making q stump speech, 4"
whereas he "m erely answered
questions"
Dismissal of Mai. Gen. johnson
Hagood, for criticiZing WPA ex-
penditureS, was branded Stain
ism" aS opposition to removal Of
the Army officer continued to be
heard in the National Capital to
day.
Carlton Reid, chairman Of the
National Security Committee Of
the America for Americans Society.
was emphatic in his denunciation {:
"This il Stalinism pure and
simple.
1--WE in America are prone to
neglect one Of our greatest
hefitages, freedom Of speech.
General HagOOd'S dismissal
strikes ut the heart of our fun
damental liberties.
"It is especially significant
that Il occurred within the Cap
itOI itself.
"He should be reinstated."
Norah Bogen, Red Gross nurse,
who served in the World War, de-
clared:
'It was tyrannical. Ap-
preciate the need of discipline
in the Army as well as anyone,
but to ruin q mans career for
an unfortunate choice of
words, especially after that man
served his country rs well as
General HagOOd, Is little short
Of despOtiSm."
The Rev. Joseph r. Sizoo, pas.
tor, New York Avenue PreSby
terian Church. said:
General HAgOOd was out to
give testimony before = con-
gresgiOnal committee. It IL re-
grettable that the powers that
be saw fit to punish him for
opinions he expressed aS it is
depriving him Of the privilege
to speak the truth"
Robert Fischer, president OF
the Democratic Citizens Associa
ton, said:
II believe that a soldier
ShOuld have the same privi-
legeS when Hnder oath on the
witness stand Ma Amv civilian" 4"