The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-12-21
DoNALDsoNvILLE, LA. SATURDAY, DECEMBER Fl, 1912
The DOCK BOARD REMOVED.
Three More New Members Appointed
Gov. Hall Explains Hls Position
In Letter TO New Orleans Progress
slye: UnIors

Gov. Hall Explains slls Position
/ In Letter TO New orleans Progress
/ slve; Union.
/ On Saturday last announcement
was made at Baton Rouge that Gov.
/ Hall had issued commissions to three
additional new members of the Board
|of Port Commissioners for New Or
|leans, commonly known as the dock
| board, to-Wit: Walter Van Benthuy-
sen, John D. O'Keefe and Henry H.
Flaspoller, vice Thomas J, Kelly, w.
A. Kernaghan and j. d, Hardin, re-
mayed for cause.
Simultaneously with this action the
governor addressed the following let
ter to the New Orleans Progressive
Union, which explains itself:
Il have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your letter OF the 9th
instant, transmitting copy of the
/ following resolution adopted by the
board of directors Of the Progressive
Union:
/" Where's, the hoard Of directors
Of the Progressive Union fully ap-
i P&WS4nLS tlC1t LA10 E0FGA III 1kJU.
isiana desires to act at all times for
the best interests OF the port Of New.
| Orleans, and
| " Whereas, it Is felt that the gov
ernor may be assisted in this endea~
vor by conferences with the CONNER.
cial interests Of New Orleans, be 1t
therefore
Resolved. TAae the board OF di-
reeteFs aE the Progressive Union re-
snectfully petitions the governor to
call conference of the commercial
exchanges of New Orleans at such
time and place as may meet his con-
venience, to consider the formulation
of a policy for the control of the
public utility boards Of the city Of
New Orleans.
While the resolution Is not speci-
fic as to the object and purpose of
the conference proposed, it seems
clear from its preamble and history
that a discussion ID desired on the
question as to whether 1t is. desirable
or isa that any hanges should be
pres esdGs lneanhessAinn DC
the book board.
| TT may be statea that it has been
kneWn for some weeks that was
considering this matter, and was
open to suggestions from any and all
! that might come to me In a friendly
and advisory way. A number Of eiti-
zens and business men, some of whom
thought a change imperative and
others opposing it, presented their re-
spectiye views and discussed the
question with me. In this, as In all
other cases, there has been no se.
crecy and no doors have been closed
on anyone. Yet not one word OF sug-
gestion or complaint came to me
from the Progressive Union or any
other commercial organization Of the
city of New Orleans until after had
definitely determined on the course
to be followed and had begun to act.
I should have been pleased to hear
and carefully consider the sugges-
tions of a committee or individuals
representing the Progressive Union
or other organizations Of the city.
sYeur board of directors have done
me the justice to state that it fully
appreciates that the governor Of Lou-
isiana desires to act at all times for
the best interests OF the port Of New
Orleans. should be less than can
did if I should not say that 1t ls
now too late for the conference de-
sired. My action is the result of a
decision reached after careful and
deliberate consideration OF the sub
ject matter, and is prompted by the
firm belief that the proposed changes
are for the fest interests OF the city
and state. Recent events have con-
firmed me in my decision as to the
advisability and wisdom of my con-
templated action.
Il do not lmpugn In the slightest
degree the honesty or sincerity OF
purpose Of your board of directors,
but 1t will perhaps agree that the agi-
tation of this question originated with
and finds its most active support from
certain political and other sources
acting together for mutual protection
and advantage in the hope either to
deter me in the consummation of my
purpose or impeach for political rea-
sons my motives.
ut is invariably true that when an
official, in the discharge of his duty,
has to come in conflict directly or in
directly with entrenched political
power or long-enjoyed special privi-
llege, he must encounter every means
that can be devised to embarrass
his efforts and discredit his purposes
and intentions. ! fully anticipated
that the clamor would be raised and
an attempt made TO engage the sym
pathies and cooperation OF disinter-
ested, unsuspecting and Well-meaning
persons.
THE people Of Louisiana long
since ordained that the port OF New
Orleans belonged to the whole COM
nonWea1th and put it under the con-
troll Of the state government. The
citizen who lives in the hills of sa-
bine parish, as well as the resident
Of the metropolis, Is interested in con-
serving this great public utility and
protecting 1t against the encroach-
ments OF political or private greed.
The port does not belong to the city
OF New Orleans alone. Indeed, the
question Of free port with abundant