The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-07-25

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
were replaced by someone on whom
full authority can be Centered and
whose personality viii not be a
stumbling block"
Thus interpreted. and in the light OF
! the statement of Mr.. Hurley, the
new chairman of the board. that I'VE
! must build ships, not talk about
| them" 1t would seem that Admiral
Caps is to have very full power.
Father OF Dreadnought.
Admiral Caps is the rael father Of
the American dreadnought He is res
| ponsible for the design Of nearly all
Of the Nays present heavy tonnage.
II was he who fought against the su-
perposed turrets for battleships, ad-
| vocated by the late Admiral Samp-
| son. His victory for the modern type
| Of turret made possible the success of
our newer all great gun ships, ad-
| mittedly the most efficient fighting
| machines afioat He also, inciden-
tally Is the inventor Of the scrap
| basket" fire control mast now in gem
eral use in the navy. The mast pro-
vides a fire control station practical
ly immune from gunfire.
1t seemed likely yesterday that al
most a clean sweep will be made in
the Offices OF both the Shipping Board
and the Emergency Fleet corporation.
1t was reported that the resignation
of Theodore Brent of the Shipping
Board, Mr.. Denman's warmest sup
porter. was in the hands of the PTesi-
dent. The White House refused to
confirm this statement. 1t is believed,
that Mr.. Brent has resigned and that
his resignation is being Withheld so
that a working majority of three may
be maintained on the board. The other
two members of the board, John A.
Donald and r. B. Stevens, have con-
sistently supported speed in building
ships.
Admiral Rousseau, acting as aide to
General Denman in the Fleet Cor
poration, will probably be recalled for
duty in the Navy Department. He and
Admiral Caps are both members of
the board which determines the
prices the Navy pays for material
and supplies. Admiral Caps will
relinguish this duty.
Cooperation Will Exist.
Secretary Daniels made plain. how
ever, that the closest cooperation be-
tween the merchant ship builders and
the Navy Department may be eX-
pected. This was one of the encour-
aging features OF the situation. for
there has been friction between the
Navy and the Shipping Board as well
as the Fleet Corporation.
THE entire construction forces Of
the Navy Department will be at the
command of Admiral Capps," Mr..
Daniels said.
The depth to which the Presidents
axe swept yesterday became evident
when 1t was learned that he was the
first man to suggest the retirement
OF General Goethals. General Goethals
in his letter of last Friday, offering
his resignation, referred to a COM
munication from the President Of date
Of July 10.
This first letter of all was not made
public. 1t was learned, however, that
! in it the President made plain to
Gen. Goethals that the shipping board
was responsible for the expenditure
Of the $75o,OOO.OOO shipping fund and
was entitled to review Gen. Goethals
plans.
To this the General, in offering his
resignation the next day. took such
sharp exception that this is regarded
as the real reason for his resignation.
FIe quoted the President, the shipping
board, and the subcommittee of the
Appropriations Committee as assur-
ing him that he was to have concen-
trated authority.
TT was on this understanding on
my part" he wrote, that I under
took the work at your request. .
/ cannot secure efficient results under
the conditions of your letter."
Secretary Baker said yesterday that
Gen. Goethals would in all proba-
bility be retained in some valuable
capacity by the War Department.
He has already rendered his serv-
ices in any capacity We may need
them" Mr.. Baker said.