Arizona republican., 1917-11-24
IS
 RETIRED
 AT ONCE
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel


 WASHINGTON. Nov. 23.-Rear Ad- miral Washington L. Capps, general manager of the shipping boards emer- gency fleet corporation. was relieved from duty in that position tonight by President Wilson at his own request because of ill health and with eXpres- sions of deepest regret by the chief eX- scutive. His successor has not been named, but Chairman Hurley of the board was known to favor the appoint ment of a man trained in the same service
 While Admiral Capps' physician has advised him that to continue at work, either of the fleet corporation or in any other capacity would imperu his life, there were reports that friction be- tween the admiral and Chairman Hur- ley hastened the formers decision to retire. He would have been forced to resign in any case within few weeks, according to those who know his phys iCal condition but the recent action of the shipping board in reOrganiZing the ueet corporation with Charles A. PisZ as vice president in virtual charge"~6f the ship construction program was said to have influenced the admiral to withdraw without more delay
 There was not much discussion to- night as to the probable selection by the president of a successor to Admiral capps. Homer L. Ferguson, president and general manager of the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock com pany and formerly a naval constructor, is known to have declined the post. Secretary Daniels conferred with Chairman Hurley on the matter tonight but so far as was made known they reached no decision.
 There have been reports that Rear Admiral F. T BOwles, Admiral Capps' chief assistant, also would retire but no announcement was made tonight
 As the situation was presented by those familiar with events transpiriug within the shipping board and emer gency fleet corporation since Chairman Denman and General Goethals resigned IS heads of these two interlOcked gov ernment agencies after a clash of opin- ion, the shipping board in assuming responsibility for the carrying through of the enormous production program outlined by Chairman Hurley, has vir- tually taken over the actual direction of building operations. MT. Hurley feels that the designing part of the corporations work is so well advanced that all efforts should be concentrated upon construction. For that reason it appeared possible that Admiral Capps' successor might be selected purely for his ability to drive through the con- struction program,
 Tribute Was freely paid tonight to admiral Capps on all sides for the work he has done in organizing the corporations office after he took charge following the Denman- Goethals dispute.
 Tn accepting the admiraTs resigna- lion, President Wilson wrote:
 My Dear Admiral Capps.
 Tt is with something more than regret that 1 have received through the secretary of the navy your letter Informing me of the necessity YOU are under to relinquish your duties in connection with the Emergency Fleet corporation. I have admired the work you have done there most warmly, for I have kept informed concerning it, and know with what devotion and intelligence you have cone it. It will be a very great loss to the Emergency Fleet corporation that you must withdraw, and it par ticularly distresses me to know that the cause is your impaired health.
 Of course, l will yield to your desire and assign you to other duties as soon as your health will permit you to undertake them, but I want you to know with what reluctance do so and with what genuine personal Hsteem and confidence. I realize now that you have remained longer at your present post than your strength Justified, and l know that you have done so from motives of patriotism May not express my obligation tc you as a public servant?
 Cordially and sincerely yours.
 tSigned) WOODROW WILSON