Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-07
Kyes Quits Post
AT Pentdgon;;
Stevens 10 Stay
No. 2 Mon, to Leave
Moy ], Denies Any
Mccarthy Row Link
By John A. Giles

nOunced yesterday as Secretary
of the Army Robert T. Stevens
emphatically denied reports he
would quit.
The White House announced
that Mr.. Kyes would leave the
No. 2 Defense Department post.
1t added that he stipulated when
he accepted the appointment
that he would stay only one year
His year was up February /, but
he will remain until May / at
Secretary of Defense Wilson's
request.
Murray Snyder. White House
secretary, was asked whether
Mr.. KyeS' resignation had any,
thing to do with the current dis
pute revolving around Mr.
Stevens and Senator Mccarthy.
Republican, of Wisconsin
None whatsoever" he said.
Mr.. Kyes himself issued a
similar denial.
Stevens Denies Report.
Mr.. Stevens personally issued
a statement to deny reports he
would leave the Army post.
Nothing could be further
from the truth" he said with
reference to some published re-
ports that he was quitting.
In an oblique reference to
his current troubles with Sena-
tor Mccarthy, Mr.. Stevens said:
Having served the magnifi-
cent United States Army in two
World Wars and for more than
a year as Secretary of the Army,
! do not intend to end that
service because of some stormy
weather that I personally have
encountered over the past 10
days"
1t was charge by Mr..
Stevens that Senator Mccarthy
abused and browbeat a general
which set of a raging contro-
versy over the Senator's investi-
gative methods.
Surprised by Kane's Stand.
There has been speculation
that the northumberland textile
manufacturer would leave the
$l8.000-a-year Army job after
an agreement he made with
Senator Mccarthy and other
Senators concerning conduct of
Senate hearings was generally
regarded as a surrender by Mr..
Stevens. This speculation in
creased yesterday with the pro-
test resignation of John F. Kane,
his $10.000-a-year special as
sistant, who quit with a letter
charging Mr.. Stevens failed to
get adequate support from
superiors in his argument with
the Senator. Mr.. Stevens said
Mr.. Kane's resignation was "a
complete surprise"
Mr.. Stevens said he had re-
ceived messages "of loyal sup
port from military personnel
both in and out Of uniform"
in all parts of the world. He
did not mention any other sup
port or lack of it.
No Plans to Quit.
MY support of the Army has
been apparent throughout my
term of service and I do not
intend to stop my efforts to
uphold the prestige, character
and integrity of that outstand-
ing group of people who consti-
tute the United States Army"
he declared.
II would like to add that at no
time since I took Office have
ever considered the matter of
submitting my resignation" he
said.
This contraSted with an ASso-
ciated Press report which said
Senator Mundt, Republican, OF
South Dakota. tolda reporter MIR.
Stevens planned to resign at the
height of his row with Senator
Mccarthy. Senator Mundt was
quoted as saying he talked the
Secretary out of it.
Controversial Figure.
Like Mr.. Stevens, Mr.. Kyes
has been a controversial figure
since he came to his post at the
Pentagon. He was called M.
Wilson's Ratchet man" and
some extremely unfavorable arti-
Giles were written about him. A
close associate remarked yester-
day that Mr.. KyeS was a very
sensitive person and the attacks
had hurt him very much.
Mr.. Kyes freely and repeatedly
denied the accusations made
against him. such as the one that
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