Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-18
SHIP CONTROVERSY
DRAWS TO- HEAD
President Expected to Act if
Rivals Do Not Settle Their
Differences.
OTHER DISPUTES RECALLED

President Wilson Is expected to take a
hand again in the controversy going on
between Maj. Gen. Goethals and Chair
man Denman of the shipping board. unless
they shortly settle their own differences
There is reason for the belief that he
would have taken a firm stand before this
if it were not for the general idea in ad-
ministration circles that the country be-
lieves that both are fine men, and prob
ably both right, from their respective
points of view.
This view. 1t is said. is probably also
the view of President Wilson. But the
shipping board has been in existence five
months now. and the big shipbuilding
program Of the United States. which. it
has been repeatedly announced, Is the
weapon which will overcome the subma-
rine menace of Germany. Is not being
made ready.
Ba1linger-Pinchot Row Recalled.
It was pointed out today in ADMIN
istration circles that the Ballingerz
Pinchot row started in much the same
manner during the administration of
President Taft. It was allowed to
smolder. and grow, with the result
that scandal ensued that made neces-
sary the reorganization of the Interior
Department and aligned all the forces
for and against conservation in the
country. until the public was as IA
miliar with the details Of 1t as the
officials involved.
In the same way, too. 1t was pointed
out. the pure food controversy several
years ago grew like a SNOWFALL rolling
down hill, resulting in the public being
stirred up and taking sides with DR..
Harvey w. Wiley. Both of these con-
troversies had serious effects upon the
public business. halting 1t. indeed, for
a time.
Neither of these nationwide con-
troversies. however. it was pointed out
today, was as serious as the Goethals-
Denman controversy. inasmuch as the
country is now at war. and in a serious
situation for the want of ships, which
the shipping board could furnish. If
there were cooperation there, and If
its members could get to work In har-
mony.
Gen. Goethals May Resign.
1t is said that the President realizes
this and that he is taking counsel
done to end the controversy and get
ships into the oceans. There were
rumors today that Gen. Goethals may
resign II he is not granted a free
hand. He Is said to have so told his
..
1t is believed that the p.opls. of the
country would regret greatly to see
him take such a step. and there is no
question that the President would re-
gret losing his services. since both the
people and the President have the
greatest confidence in him. Similar
complimentary expressions in regard
to Mr.. Denman are heard in admins
tration circles.
The shipping board Is scheduled to
have meeting today, at which there
may be some composition OF differences,
and the Presidents advisers are await
ing the result Of that meeting with
lively interest.
Construction Still in Allegiance.
Pending the settlement Of the con-
troversy the ship construction program is
in allegiance. There is to be a meeting
of the shipping, board whenever Chair
man Denman sees At to call 1t. to look
over the plans of Mai Gen. Goethals.
general manager of the emergency feet
But Chairman Denman
states that he is still waiting upon Gen.
Goethals for elucidation of the plans.
In the meanwhile no ships building
in private yards have been COM
mandeered. No bids have been invited
for construction of two great govern
ment shipyards at cost OF approx
mately $10,0o0.000 each.
Part Of the information sought by
Chairman Denman has been given by Gen.
Goethals. But Mr.. Denman is not con-
tent and wants to know more about tho
nature Of the contracts for the proposed
government shipyards and tho approxi-
mate costs Of requisitioning ships now
building.
In a statement last night Mr. Denman
had this to say Of Gen. Goethals' proposal
to go ahead with his program before the
board had acted on it:
I'VE have not received copies Of the
contracts for building the fabricating
plants. which means the expenditure OF
s350.000,000 Of public money on the
plants and on ship construction, nor an
estimate of the cost of Cen Goethals'
plan to commander ships on stocks.
las soon as we get the contracts and
the estimates asked for at am. Monday
we will call meeting. and we trust Gen.
Goethals will attend it. There we will
discuss the program"