Evening star., 1946-02-20

charges tnat have been raised
against Mr.. Pauley.
On the issue of whether the
States or the Federal Government
own the oil-bearing tidelands, Mr..
Forrestal said the "Navy's position
is that the issues should be resolved
by the Supreme Court of the United
States"
The Navy Secretary also testified
today that "oil matters in the Navy
are handled in the office of the
Assistant Secretary, John L. Sulli-
van. do not propose to disturb
that allocation."
All through the ForrestaI state
ment ran the thought that the Navy
needs experienced men in key posi-
tions. Mr.. Forrestal closed his
statement in these words:
"A serious issue has been raised in
these hearings by the charge that
Mr.. Pauley in a conversation with
Mr.. Ickes undertook to urge the
latter to lend himself to the bar
tering of political influence in return
for campaign contributions. I have
no personal knowledge or conviction
as to the truth or falsity of this
charge.
Recalls No Pressure.
While my contacts with Mr..
Pauley have not been frequent, I
have searched my memory closely,
and can state without qualification
that at no time has he brought
pressure on behalf of any individual
or Interest so far as Navy business,
contracts or personnel are con-
cerned.
Il am jealous in the highest de-
gree of the good name and integrity
of the United States Navy, because
OF the gallant bluejackets, Marines
and officers who have given their
lives during this war. I may add
also that am jealous of the fact
that under my administration over
500, 900, 900, 900 Of public funds have
been handled with the single end
in view of spending these funds
economically, honestly and eff
GENTLY. can assure you that
while I regard my own personal
fortunes in terms of reputation as
quite secondary to the considera-
tions I have named above, I do not
propose lightly to expose myself or
the splendid associates who have
helped me in this tremendous task
to the risk of blotting the copy
book at the end of the record"
Mr.. Forrestal said he first heard
Mr.. Pauley's name mentioned in
the summer of 1910 when he was
Undersecretary and the late Lewis
Compton was Assistant Secretary.
Mr.. Compton resigned in February,
194f, and the late Col. Frank Knox
then Secretary, told Mr.. Forrestalf
Mr.. Pauley had been suggested for
Assistant Secretary.
Neither Knew Pauley.
Neither he nor knew Mr..
Pauley," Mr.. Forrestal continued,
"and he took the position that he
should be allowed to select his own
personnel regardless of whether
they were Republicans or Demo-
Gratis. In this particular case he
wanted as his Assistant Secretary
Mr.. Ralph A. Bard, a Republican
and close personal friend of Col
Knox. I supported this view in a
personal call on President Roose-
welt, to whom I said that I knew
Mr.. Bard, had confidence in and
respect for him; that I held the
view very strongly that the ad-
of both the War and
Navy Departments should be nom
partisan and that the only criteria
should be integrity, ability and in
dustry. Following this conversation
Mr.. Roosevelt agreed to send Mr..
Bard's name to this committee"
Mr.. Forrestal said the next time
he heard Mr.. Pauley's name men
toned In connection with the Navy
was after he had succeeded Mr..
Knox as Secretary in 1914.
THE only specific conversation
about Mr.. Pauley which I had with
the late. President Roosevelt, and
which I remember clearly, occurred
on January 81, 1916. For some time
I had been urging the appointment
of H. Struve Hensel as Assistant
Secretary.
The President asked me whether
would take Mr.. Pauley for this
post. I said I had no objections to
Mr.. Pauley but (a) didn't know
him well; CD I therefore had no
judgment as to his ability and Co
would have in Mr.. Hensel q man
thoroughly trained in the business
of the Navy during three years OF
arduous work. I said that 1t was
impossible to give good administra-
ton to a department Of such vastness
and complexity as the Navy without
some continuity of personnel; fur
thermore, that I wanted the able
civilians who had done excellent
work within the department during i
the war to receive whatever re-
wards are involved in an appoint
ment to the department secre-
tariat."
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