Show NAVY OffICERS fREE OF TONGUE WilBUR INSISTS Charges That Army and Navy Men n Are Gagged by Superiors on Questions Questions Questions Ques Ques- of P Policy licy Denied v WASHINGTON ASHI Feb 5 The The house aircraft committee which Is Ig considering charges that army and navy officers are gagged by their superiors on questions of military I policy was Informed by Secretary Wilbur today that naval officers are I free to express their views fully I I wish to assure you the secretary secretary secre secre- I tary said in a letter to Chairman Lampert Lamport of the committee that I they are perfectly free to state fully i an and fairly all facts within their i knowledge not of a confidential or I secret character and to fully express ex- ex press their opinions on any matters into which your committee desires to inquire FEAR TO TALK The committee was told yesterday by Representative Perkins Perkins' Republican lican New Jersey that three naval officers had asked to be excused from testifying because of a fear of disciplinary measures and that heh he h had d been informed that Rear Admiral Admiral Ad- Ad miral Moffett the navys navy's chief of aeronautics might lose his post be because because because be- be cause of his persistent efforts for a larger air force Mr Wilbur's letter letter letter let let- ter was was placed before the committee commit commit- tee at a session called to consider a r resolution solution which would express dissent from any plan to deprive Brigadier General Mitchell of or reappointment reappointment reap- reap as assistant chief of the army air service The rhe ment is being held up by Secretary Weeks pending an explanation of some seine of the generals general's statements on aviation policies |