The Washington times., 1936-02-25
TO FINISH
.PR0M|SEDB BY
BLANT0N
Officers Criticism Of
WPA Defended and
Custer Protested
By WILLIAM s. NEAL
International Neva Service

International News Service
The Army high command stood
firm today in face of a wltherlng
fire Of congressional criticism for
the rebuke administered to Maj.
Gen. johnson Hagood because he
ridiculed the WPA program as
"Stage money"
with one member Of Congress
promising a "war to the finish"
others joined in condemning the
order to Hagood to give up COM
mand of the Eighth Corps Area at
Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and go
home to await orders.
Cries of censorship" were
raised. Protests were made eSpe-
cially because Hagood criticized
WPA projects while teStifying be-
fore a House appropriation sub
committee on the Army supply
bill.
BIantOn Promises 'War"
Representative Blanton CD Of
Texas declared Hagood was justi-
fled in condemning wasteful WPA
expenditures and suggesting that
Congress get $50, 100000 Of the
money to improve Army housing.
Blanton said:
''If Army officers can't testify
freely before congressional COM
mitteeS we might as well 60
home"
The Texas member attacked
Secretary of War Dern. Assistant
CAA~Ak To ETYA4ITiNn and
Gen. Malin Craig, chief of staff.
Asked what action he would take,
Blanton said:
There are several ways.
Dern, WOOdring and Craig could
be impeached. A way will be
found. The matter won't be
dropped. 1t is q war to the
finish"
WHITE HOUSE ACCUSED
Although some Republicans &C.
cuSed the White House Of inSpir-
ing the order, high Army officials
said privately that the Army alone
was responsible.
The order to Hagood read "By
direction of the President" The
explanation given was that all
Army orders are framed in this
language, even though the Presi-
dent may know nothing about 1t.
Blanton declared that "95 per
cent Of the people of my district
will back what General Hagood
said about WPA stage money"
Representative Lehlback (R0 Of
New Jersey said that Blanton did
not go high enough. Lehlbach
laid the Army order at the door Of
the White House. He said:
'"There is q reign Of terror In
this country. Business men,
bankers, others, don't dare to
tell the truth about the Admin
istr0tiOn."
HAGOOD PRAISED
Hagood generally was praised
by members Of the House Military
Affairs and Appropriations COM
mitteeS. Chairman Parks Cd, of
Arkansas, of the subcommittee be-
fore which General Hagood teSti-
fled, declined to comment on the
War Department order. Recently
he termed General Hagood'S teSti-
mony "disgraceful."
Representative johnson CD Of
Oklahoma said:
Il think the punishment is en-
tirely too severe. / haven't al
ways agreed with General Ha-
good but / have confidence in
his integrity. He has made Sug-
.EestiOnS to our committee which
the War Department should
have taken. I have profound re-
Spect for him."
Army officers recalled a rebuke
administered to Gen. Charles P.
Summerau when, during the Cool
idge administration, he attacked
lack Of funds for Army housing in
. speech on the Pacific Coast. He
was summarily ordered back to
Washington. Some time after the
incident, however, President Cool
idge recommended that Summer
all be made a full general.
Cries Of censorship were raised
recently in Congress when the
Marine Band was withdrawn from
the banquet of a women'S patriotic
organization because Bainbridge
Colby, former Secretary of State,
had attacked the Administration
in speech before this organiza-
ton.
The private explanation of high
Army officials was that it was ne
ceSsary to rebuke General Hagood
to maintain discipline,