Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-25
WAY CLEARED FOR
MERCHANT MARINE
Wilson Forces GOethals and
Denman to Resign From
Construction Board.
SUCCESSORS ARE APPOINTED
Hurley Becomes Chairman of
Commission; Admiral Capps
Replaces Manager.

WASHINGTON, July 24.-President
Wilson brought the shipping board
row to an abrupt termination today
by eliminating the two principals
William Denman. chairman Of the
board, ana Major General Goethals.
manager OF the boards emergency
fleet corporation in charge OF CON
struction.
The resignation of General Goe-
thals.' rendered some days ago, was
accepted and Mr.. Denman was asked
by the president to follow suit, that
the governments building program
might go forward without embarrass
ment.
Hurley Succeeds Denman.
Edward n. Hurley of Chicago, for
mer chairman OF the federal trade
commission, was named to succeed
Mr.. Denman and cambridge Colby Of
New York was appointed successor to
Capt. John B. White of Kansas city.
IA board member whose resignation.
offered month ago. also was ac-
cepted. Rear Admiral Washington
l.. Capps, chief constructor of the
navy. will succeed General Goethals,
taking immediate charge OF the build
ing program.
The nominations of Mr.. Hurley and
Mr.. Colby went to the senate this aft
ernoon and were referred to the com
merce committee. Their prompt con-
firmation was predicted.
Mr. Denman sent his resignation to
the White House Immediately after
receipt OF the presidents letter re-
questlng II. The presidents action
manlfestly took him by surprise, but
his only comment was this:
1T was the best way to settle the
whole thing. i want to help the
president in every way possible and
never had questioned the wisdom of
his decisions"
Brent Ready to Quit.
1t was reported tonight that Theo-
dore Brent. vice chairman OF the
board, who has been "a strong sup
porter OF Mr.. Denman's position, had
offered to quit the board If the presi-
dent thot 1t best. but at the White
House II was said no communication
had been received from him. John
A. Donald and X. B. Stevens, the other
board members. who have lined up
with General Goethals, said they had
no intention Of resigning.
Virtually from the start Of the
trouble 1t became known tonight Mr.
Denman did not have the full sup
port OF the board for his wooden ship
program. Mr.. Donald and Mr.. stevens
consistently supported the general,
but Mr.. Brent and Captain White
stood with the chairman. After he
had offered his resignation a month
ago on account OF Ill health Captain
White returned to Washington n time
to cast the deciding vote against the
, Goethals building program.
General Goethals' announcement OF
this program furnished the cause for
!. definite split between him and Mr..
Denman. Much OF the Goethals plan
was the original program proposed by
the shipping board out Mr.. lehman Is
said to have resented the fact that the
general In making II public declared
he would proceed without consulting
the board.
Supreme Authority Disputed.
The presidents order comforting tho
powers given by congress authorized
the board to operate ships and tho
corporation to build them. General
Goethals. reinforced by n letter from
President Wilson which declared he
would not he hampered. took the or
der TO mean he would have a free
hand. Mr.. Denman. with n letter from
the president which he thot charged
the shipping board with responsibility
for the expenditure of the funds sup
piled by congress. promptly blocked
the generals plans.
Difficulties then developed thick
and fast and another letter went from
the White House to General Goethals
1t called the general to account for
announcing his program without first
consulting the board and made 1t
clear that he was not in supreme
charge OF the shipping program and
must not proceed without the ap-
proval OF the shipping board.
In reply the general wrote a letter
made public today offering to resign
and declaring he had been given to
understand previously by the presi-
dent, the shipping board and all
others concerned that he was to have
absolute authority.
The Goethals program, which In
cludes Communicating all private
shipping under construction and the
building OF two government-owned
shipyards for putting together fabri-
Gated steel ships. undoubtedly will be
adopted almost as It stands. Chair
man Denman already has forced
changes which will reduce the cost OF
ships to be fabricated and the state
department IL behind him In his posi-
ton that the United States should
requisition British ships building in
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