Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-20
We Must Have Sims

NJ OF only Congress, but the country. was
satisfied to place in the hands of the
President authority to designate the agency
which would eXpepd the S750,UOO.00O appro-
priation for a great merchant feet. Acting
under that authority, Mr. Wilson has directe ed
the Emergency Shipbuildlng Corporation, a
chartered subsidiary OF the Shipping Board,
of which General George w. Goethals Is gen
eral manager. to proceed with the program
This act seemed to settle all differences
petty or otherwise between General Goethals
and William Denman. San Francisco law
yer. who happens to be chairman of the
Shipping Board. Not only America, but our
allies, breathed easier when this pronounce
ment was made at the White House, all in,
terests sharing in the assumption that the
period OF squabbling had ended, and that
henceforward we should proceed TO the seri-
Gus business of producing ships.
But this sense of relief was short-lived.
Mr.. Denman, as president of the corpora ton
has reminded the country that he has the
technical right TO approve or reject any lans
which General Goethals may submit, and has
intimated that he will exercise that light
Notwithstanding the Presidents clear direc-
tions 10 General Cocktails TO so lead.
\ comprehensive program has been an
nounced by General Goethals, embracing the
construction OF great armada Of steel ships;
as many wooden ships may be practica BILE,
and the founding of two government-owned
shipyards. Upon the merit of this program
We do not presume to pass. but it seems on
its face 10 meet our national requirements
Whether they are adequate or Inadequate
sound or unsound, the plans have been again
held up. in order that Mr.. Denman and his
associates. not one of whom is regarded as a
competent authority on ship construction
may consider" them. incidentally sacrificing
more precious time and hindering the greatest
Gin ole rnrtSA - ;1l,
since the war began.
1t is incomprehensible that such an ad-
ministrative condition should be permitted
to continue. Either General Cocktails is
right or Mr.. Denman is right One or the
other should be ordered TO build these ships
without the loss of another day. And it
should not require supervision on the part
of the administration to determine which
agency should be employed to this end We
confess that we share the confidence OF the
people generally in the fine executive ability
and the literal honesty OF General Goethals.
But il he is misplaced in the present situa-
ton, he should be relieved OF duty where he
is and placed again in the army. If Mr..
Denman is mere obstructionist consumed
with puerile jealousy, has been repeatedly
charged. he should be permitted to return
to his law practice in the West. Obviously
one step or the other should be taken and
should be taken without delay
The Draft" No Longer Badge of Dishonor
THERE is sincere qualification in the fact
that, as We approach nearer the selection
OF the men who are TO compose our armies
IN this war, resentment against the theory
OF the draft has subsidized. Not only the men
who are 10 be called but the whole country.
now realizes that the selective system is
literal military democracy. 1t falls upon all
alike the high and the low, the rich and
the poor. the blessed and the unblessed
1t is unfortunate that the word draft"
should have been employed in the legislation
authorizing the raising of armies 1t
aroused memories of the disagreeabl expert
ence OF Civil War days, when men were
dragged from their homes by provost guards
and forced 10 bear arms, unless they had the
means OF hiring substitutes. That hated
word might have been omitted without lessen
Ing the universal obligation to military ser,
vice but it has remained. and we have all
become reconciled to IL.
BY adhering rigdly to the theory of the
seiective system. the President has done much
10 vindice'e il in the eyes OF the whole
people He rejected the plan of Theodore
hooseFeit TO raise volunteer army. And
in rejecting it, Mr. Wilson saved the million
or more young men who are to be drawn
IRON any possible stigma which might have
a''oNAco " tilell service. lie preserved the
Integrity Of the draft and gave TO the con-
scripted armies the final assurance that their
service was not TO be dshonored by com
parison with that OF men who might volun-
leer.
Further assurance is given our young SOL
olcrs by the fact that no amount of money
may purchase relief from duty The man
OF millions shares the same liability as tbe
man without dollar. The man with
friends in high places can no more escape
IMAM the man without friends And once
our armies take the field. there will he no
distinctions between the son OF the char
woman and the son OF the bank president
Al! VIII have the same standing in the
presence Of the flag. All will have the same
opportunity to earn their country's gratitude
through the gallantry Of their deeds There
can be no finer spirit Of democracy than this
-----------------
When the men Of Russia rich and DOOR
princes and peasants, subscribe to loan OF
Sl'5oo 100000 with which to sustain an un
certain and unstable provisional government
we may wei regard the new republic az a solid
lorce IN this war. Men do not yoluntariIv
invest their money In enterprise unless Il
commands their confidence. They do not
"iiNhgiy surrender their earning. m thei,