New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-13
Wilson Orders
Wood andSteel
Vessels Built
Row Between Goethals and
Denman Not Yet
Settled
fFrrrn the Tribune Bureau ]

Washington, July 12.-The President
to-day, by executive order. directed the
Shipping Board. and the Emergency
Fleet Corporation 70 proceed with the
immediate construction of both wooden
and steel ships, the communicating OF
ships on the ways, and the comman-
deering and chartering of ships on the
seas UP to the limit permitted by the
s750,0oO,000 appropriated by Congress
for the emergency ship programme.
However, the question of whether
General Goethals or Chairman Denman
now has the power TO shape the course
of the shipping programme stiil re-
mains a matter OF grave doubt. In
feet. TO impartial observers, the Presi-
dent seems to have set the stage for
protracted continuance of the row be-
tween Chairman Denman and General
Goethals.
The Presidents order vests authori-
ty in the Emergency Fleet Corporation,
of which General Goethals is general
rranager, to spend S500,000,00O for con-
struction and for Communicating ships
now under construction on the ways
for foreign owners. Over the expendi-
ture of the remaining $25O,OOO,0OO ior
commandeering and chartering ships
on the seas there is a division OF au.
thority between the Shipping Board
and the Emergency Fleet Corporation:
On the face of this arrangement IT
would appear that General Goethals
has the larger power as was the IN
tention Of Congress when the grea,
sum for the emergency ship pro-
gramme was voted. There is little
Joker in the situation, however. Cen
eral Goethals, as manager OF the fleet
Corporation, is subject TO the direction
of the executive committee or the
board of directors Of that organization:
To be sure, General Goethals himself
is a member Of this executive commit
tee. but his two colleagues are Char
man Denman and Mr.. Eustis. who, 1t
will be remembered, was discharged
some weeks ago from the Fleet Corpo-
ration by General Goethals, but his
resignation declined by Mr.. Denman.
II can be confidently predicted that
Chairman Denman and his supporter,
Mr.. Eustis, will let no opportunity pass
10 set obstacles in the way Of General
Goethals In fact. they nave ALREADY
begun by inspiring reports that this
is an appropriate time for the builder
of the Panama Canal 10 take much
needed rest at some quiet summer re-
sort.
That General Goethals will resign
however, is not very strong possloll-
ity at this time. The general likes a
fight about as well as anything that
can be served up to him. Mr.. Denman'
despite his suave protestations OF al.
miration and friendliness for General
Goethals. has made it plain to those
closely in touch with the shipping
situation that he was out 10 dlscreolt
him. No ore knows this better thah
General Goethals.
For General Goethals 70 surrender AZ
this stage Of the game, therefore, would
be most unexpected. Up to the present
he has declined 10 talk; in fact, he has
adopted that method Of procedure
which is called in the parlance OF the
soldier "passive resistance" However,
"passive resistance" IS not the only
plan Of operation in General Goethafs
repertory. I'll, H.;
The general is going to build SHIPS,
and if Mr.. Denman gets IN the way
INSTRUMENTATION and iinesse Will not
be as successful expedients az seems to
have been the case in his dealing with
the President.