Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-27
COCKTAILS OFFER TO
RESIGN IS ACCEPTED
AND DENMAN BUSTED

large part in process of execution,
but upon the further execution of it.
| have found both you and General
Goethals ready to serve the public
at a personal sacrifice. Realizing
that the only manner in which the
way can be completely cleared for
harmonious and effective action is
to carry our shipbuilding plans for
ward from this point through new
agencies, General Goethals has put
his resignation in my hands; and
l have adopted it in the same spirit
in which it was tendered-nOt as de-
Gliding between two men whom l re-
spect and admire. but in order to
make invidious decisions unneces-
sary and let the work be developed
without further discussion of what
is past.
am taking the liberty of writ
ing to tell you this in the conf
dence that you will be glad to take
the same diSinterested and self
forgetting course that General Goe-
thals has taken. When you have
done as he has done l am sure
that you may count with the ut
most confidence upon the ultimate
verdict of the people of the coun-
try with regard to your magnan-
imous and unselfish view of public
duty and upon winning in the retro
spect the same admiration and con-
fidence that I have learned to feel
for you.
With much regard ad very great
appreciation of the large services
you have rendered.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON.
The president accepted the resigna-
ton of the Hon. John B. White in the
following letter:
NV Dear Mr.. White: I think
that YOU have a perfect right to
ask to be relieved of your labors
in the shipping board and 1 feei
obliged by the argument you have
used to accept your resignation
from the board.
In doing so. however. may l not
express my appreciation of the
sense of the public duty with
which you have served and thank
you for the time and labor you
have devoted to the important
business Of a great fundamentally
of government?
Cordially and sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON.
GEN. COCKTAILS LETTER.
General Cocktails letter written July
20, offering to resign, follows:
My Dear Mr.. President: l beg to
acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of July 10 and wish to ex-
press my appreciation of the con-
siderate manner in which you have
stated the conclusion which you
have reached.
In the project of the rapid
emergency construction of small
ships" dated March 10, 1917, and
approved by you on April 4. last, it
was stated that Ito secure the speed
of production, which is all impor-
tant, we feel that the task of Sc
curing and equipping these ships
should be put in the hands of one
man. Centralized control is essen
tial for rapid and efficient work.
1t was on this understanding on
my part that 1 undertook the work
at your request.
This understanding was subse-
uuently confirmed, not only when
1 took up the matter with the ship
ping board. but at the hearings be-
fore the subcommittee of the COM
mittee on appropriations of the
limited States senate, where it was
stated that 1 was to have "abso-
lutte authority for the administra-
everything the board could do would
be done, and that 1t would act on
NV suggestion and initiative" Those
assurances were placed much more
clearly before the members OF the
subcommittee on appropriations or
the house of representatives,.
HASTE Is IMPERATIVE
THE necessity for shipping makes 1t
Imperative that results be secured as
rapidly as possible. 1t IS results, by
vhomsoever obtained, which count after
all. and nothing should be allowed to
interfere with the accomplishment OF
this end | have endeavored to estao-
lish harmonious relations with the ship
ping board, but regret TO state l have
rot succeeded and 1t seems Impossible
10 secure the unison or purpose es'
sential to the success of the work Be-
lfeving that a Capitalization of authori-
ty in one man is necessary to carry
out the ship-building program rapidly
and successfully, after mature consid-
Grafton on the whole subject. / am
.atisfied that I cannot secure efficient
results under the conditions of your
letter
81 am convinced. therefore. that the
best interests of the public welfare
would be served If 1 were replaced by
some one on whom full authority can
Re conferred and whose personality will
not be a stumbling block. 1t is my
urgent hope that this solution will
commend itself to you. and. in order
chat the work may be delayed as little
as possible by a change, if you deem
il wise. / shall be glad to continue IN
charge until my successor can be Sc
lected and remain with him until he has
a thorough knowledge Of the organiza-
ton that has been built up and Is
able to familiarize himself with the
work that has already been undertaken
You may be assured of my loyal 40
ouiesence in the direction given in your
letter and all future orders.
Yours respectfully,
GEORGE W. COCKTAILS"