The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-24
WILSON TO END
ship DISPUTE In
NEXT "a HOURS
President Has Two Plans to
Settle Goethals- -Denman
Controversy.
TASKS TO BE SEPARATED
Principals May Be Given An
other Trial-Talk Of Dis
missal for One.
TASKS TO BE SEPARATED

WASHINGTON, July 2a.-President VIII
son will intervene within the next twen-
ty-four hours in the row between Chair
man William Denman and Major-Gen.
George w. Goethals and effect perma-
nent settlement Of their long standing
differences. Definite announcement TO
this effect was forthcoming to-day. Just
what action the President intends TO
take was not made plain. The President
has had under confederation two plans,
one to dismiss either Denman or Goe-
them another trial under an agreement
which would absolutely insure the sep
arhtion OF their activities
Members OF the Shipping Board here
tofore at odds with the Panama Canal
builder are making utmost ehdeavors TO
restore the entente cordiale with the
General, in the apparent hope that the
President will not regard the situation
sufiiciently serious to warrant the dis
'missal of Denman or any OF those who
have stood with him in his disputes with
GoethaIs.
| II wac remarked that the differences,
II there ever had been any In fact. now
were past and nothing really remained
! for the President to settle.
ResiHnatiOns Are UncOnhrmed.
Reports Of the designations OF Capt
John b. white Of Kansas City and John
A. Donald OF New York. published this
morning failed of confirmation to-day.
Donald denied positively that he had re-
signed or that he ever had entertained
the thought OF resigning II likewise
was said at the White House that Dom
aid had not resigned.
Capt. White, who will be 20 years old
in December. admitted that several
weeks ago, before the present rupture be-
tween Dennaf and Goethals had become
pre- rcnounced. he had sent his resignation
to the President, saying that his health
wan not good and that he wished to be
relieved Of his duties on the Shipping
Board. ~ "-f'
The retention Of White on the board
would give Denman a majority Donnid
and r. B. Stevens have been consistently
in harmony with the ideas OF Gen.
Goethals. Capt White and Theodore
Brent, the vice-chairman, have voted
most OF the time with Denman when
the quarrel with Goethals has figured.
How President May Act.
This situation has provided one means
by which II Is suggested the President
can give Goethals the upper hand With
out celebrating on his executive order
Issued early In the month and without
6ismissing Denman. He can decline 10
consider Capt Whites resignation as
Withdrawn. He can accept the resiEna-
tion OF White and appoint In his place
a man known to be In sympathy with
Goethals. This would give Goethais a
large influence in the Shipping Board,
II not its control There is doubt in some
quarters. however. that the President
would seek to settle the quarrel In this
inconclusive way.
AS the situation stands tonight the
chances are that Denman's head will
fail II the President decides any de-
capitations are required for the good Of
the shipbullding programme. THIS is the
procedure that In being urged by ofiiciais
who are convinced that Denman and
and that the only way to settle the
fight is to separate the fighters
Contracts Let for TO Ships.
An obvious effort is being made TO
counteract the impression that has gone
abroad that the quarrel Is holding up the
shipbullding programme to any serious
extent. II was said to-day by officials
OF the Shipping Board that contracts
for seventy-hve ships had been signed
since the recent trouble began. 1t was
explained that the procedure was to
approve contracts as rapidly as the Gem
eral provided the information concerning
them that Denman had asked. These
ahips were included In the programme
OF Gen. Goethals.
II will still be several days In all prob
ability before Gen. doethals Furnishes ali
the information called for by Denman.
Absence Of this information is respon-
sible for the delay in letting the con-
tracts for the two Government fabricat-
ing plants, project involving the expen-
diture Of Sa5o.ooe,ooO.
Refuses to De Ruahed.
Denmah is refusing TO be rushed. He
feels that the Shipping Board ultimately
Is responsible for all expenditures made.
In consequences he wishes to be satisfied
as TO costs. the methods Of payment and
all other important considerations In
volved. He is aware OF the ihdignat tIon
that has been aroused because Of the de-
lay his stand has caused, but he main
talns that his attitude "a correct and is
determined that no outside influence
shall bulge him.
The communicating programme which
was announced by the General 10 be put
into effect a week ago to-day also 70 be-
ing held In allegiance. The reason as
signed Is that there are many points Of
International comfy concerned and that
the whole project must be put up to the
state Department.
The State Department IL said already
TO have received some of the proposals
that are involved IN the communicating
programme, An announcements Of policy
is expected shortly.
There are about l,SaO, 900 tons Of ships
on the stocks About l.02A 900 tons are
under contract TO the British. II IL thu
attitude Of the Shipping Board that nc
wholesale seizure ought TO be attempted
without full approval of the State De-
partnent.
II is the intention OF this hoard TO com.
mandeer ships nDw under American
registry at once for operation under d.
rectlon OF the board either directly. or