Evening star., 1938-02-11
PLANS FOR BIGGER.
FLEET DISCLOSED.
AT HOUSE HEARING.
VInson Wants Navy Ade.
quate to Protect Both
Coasts at Once.
FUNDAMENTAL" POLICY.
CHAIRMAN DECLARES
Hagood Charges National Defense
Made Political Football"
by Congress Neglect.
BACKGROUND


On January 28. President RooSe-
relt informed Congress efforts to
establish peace throughout the
,rorld mcre bringing little result.
Assuring that continuance of such
efforts would be first thought. he
recommended that forces OF na-
tional defense be STRENGTHENED,
meanwhile, by $500. 900 900 of narul
building. Nary spokesmen support
proposal, but peace advocates this
reek hare been highly critical
B, the Associated Press
Chairman Vinson told the House
Naval Committee today he would try
TO amend the pending $500, 900. 900
naval expansion bill so as to author
1ze fleet big enough to protect the
Atlantic and Pacific Coasts at the
same time.
Representative Vinson made public
the text of an amendment he had
prepared which would declare it to
be the fundamental naval policy" of
thlS country to maintain fleet ade-
Quate to defend both coasts and all
lnsular possessions. 1t also would pro-
vide that the Navy should BE- 'suffi-
clent in strength to guarantee our
national security. but not for az res
sion"
The proposal. which evoked both
criticism and approval in the COM
mlttee. went into record reDlcte with
testimony by Admiral William D.
Leahy. chief OF naval operations,
that the fleet now is inadequate 10
defend the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts
from simultaneous attacks.
Charges Political Football"
Representative Vinson made known
his plans during interrogation of Mai.
Gen. johnson Hagood, retired Army
officer, who told the committee this
country's national defense and Sc
curity lis being made the football of
politics" because Congress had ne
elected its duties to make the rules
and regulations for the land and
naval forces.
MIR. Wilson's amendment defined
adequate naval defense as mot only
the protection of our continental coast
line. the Canal Zone. Alaska. Hawaii
and our insular possessions. but also
n defense that will keep any potential
enemy away from our shores
Asserting the United States looks
with apprehension and disfavor" on
naval building throughout the world,
the amendment declared:
In the event of international
agreement for the further limitations
OF naval armament. to which the
United States is signatory. the PreS-
dent is hereby authorized and en-
powered to suspend so much of it's
naval construction as has been au-
thorized as may be necessary to bring
the naval armament of the United
States within the limitations as
agreed upon
ever, which would exclude from the
limitation provisions vessels actually
under construction.
Says Congress Neglectful.
Gen. Hagood, whose retirement fol-
lowed his temporary suspension by
President Roosevelt for criticism of
some administration policies. said that
Congress for the last 100 years had
been ''neglectful' of the duty imposed
on it by the Constitution to make the
rules for regulation of the Army and
Navy.
He said that. for the past 100
years, it had let this power drift
more and more into the hands of
the Executive"
The result of it is" he said. that
no one today knows for what purpose
the land and naval forces are to be
used"
Refuse to Call Krock.
Gen. Hagood testified on the pro-
posed S800,000,00O naval expansion
shortly after the committee had re-
fused. IA to 2. to call Arthur Krock,
Washington correspondent of the New
York Times. to testify who had "ex-
pertly informed" him the United States
and British Fleets would "automati-
cally' cooperate in the Pacific should
the occasion demand.
Gen. Hagood. questioned as to
what constitutes national policy, said
he had been trying to find out.
Tive commanded three field armies
and all the troops in the Philippine
&C.. nU7I,ENcT D.. ~