New-York tribune., 1917-07-25
The Shipping Board Shake-Up

In working his way out of the Shipping
Board muddle President Wilson followed
the line of least resistance. He could not
retain Mr.. Denman as chairman OF the
board. But for political reasons Mr.. Den
mans face had to be saved, so General
Goethals's services were also dispensed
with. Each combatant in the wooden ship
steel ship fracas can now claim draw.
Each can march off the field with the salts
faction of not having lowered his sword to
the other.
General Goethals's reputation is dimmed
and his great abilities are sacrificed IN
order to cover the humiliation of one of the
Administration most inefficient political
appointees. Mr.. Denman was put on the
Shipping Board in payment of political
obligations. He was made head OF the
board as the result of an intrigue which
drove from that body its only competent
member, Mr.. Bernard N. Baker, of Balti-
more. Mr.. Baker is shipping man of
large experience and proved capacity. He
was shunted aside for an admiralty lawyer.
In an interview published the other day
Mr.. Baker drew this picture of the ex-
chairman of the Shipping Board:
Mr.. Denman knows nothing about ships.
His sole qualifications for the position were
that he had had some experience as law
yer on the Pacific Coast in prosecuting
claims against other nations for alleged in
fringement Of our rights on the sea. He
was, and is, wholly innocent of any knoWl-
edge which would assist in the building OF
a great feet He will not cooperate with
General Goethals and he insists on adhering
to the programme for building wooden
ships instead Of steel ships.
As matter Of fact, he has said that he
purposes to make the chief work Of the
United States Shipping Board the collection
of claims from Great Britain for the In
fringement of our rights This when Great
Britain is our ally will be very embarrass-
ing to President Wilson. As result OF
these tactics FIVE months have passed AMI
the board has no definite policy. It has not
determined whether 1t will build steel or
wooden ships. Mr.. Denman should be re-
placed at once by a man who really knows
ships and who is big enough to see the
necessities Of the situation.
The Tribune believed that Mr.. Denman's
continuance in an Office which he was
grossly incompetent to fill was scandal
It said last week that he ought to be re-
tired. 1t now thinks that an unnecessary
price was paid for his retirement General
Goethals has not had that fair opportunity
to show what he could do which he was
led to believe he would have when he took
office. He has been treated shabbily. He
has been made scapegoat for the short
comings of others.
But we are In a state Of war. General
Goethals will undoubtedly suffer the
wrongs done him with the fortitude Of
soldier and patriot. He will await vim
dication, and will have the full sympathy Of
the public while awaiting it. His wrongs
are an incident. Not forgetting them, the
country will turn with hope to the new
heads Of the board and of the subsidiary
building corporation. What is needed most
now is administrative energy, inspired by
unity of counsel. Admiral Capps was for
MANY wears the head of the Bureau Of Con-
struction of the Navy Department. The
country will be reassured by the knowledge
that he has in the fullest measure the tech
nical training required for ship designing
and construction. Mr.. Hurley is an eff
cient and broad-minded administrator. 1t
is the country's wish that they should work
in harmony. And it is even more impor-
tant that they should get to work.