The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-07-26
Now Build Ships

The President has ended in the
best way the quarrel that has de-
layed the building of ships for war
service by accepting the resignation
OF General Goethals, General Mana I
ger of the Emergency Fleet Corpora
ton, and requesting that OF William
Denman, Chairman of the Shipping
Board. Both men are capable OF
great service to the country, both
have rendered service. e.[IEhay have
been treated with the greatest con-
siGeration by the President and both
will treasure his letters OF dismis-
sal as examples of the highest stand
ard in the art of softening The per-
formance of disagreeable duty by
language of high appreciation and
compliment.
There was no other way; doubt
less it is a way that should have
been adopted weeks ago. Nothing
but the very great patience and con-
Siderdtion of the President for Gen
I eral GOethals and Mr.. Denman had
left them free TO continue their bick-
ering. If one went, the other had 10
go, since the President could not de
sire To take sides in the controversy.
Moreover, while the charge of in
/ compatibility rests more heavily up
! on General Goethals, while the coun-
( try is probably convinced that the re-
sponSibility TOR arreSting the eXecu-
tion OF the Shipbuilding program is
chiefly his, to let him resign without
also accepting the resignation of Mr..
Denman would have ended the
strife; it would have been renewed
with added yigor, for General Goe-
thalS has many friends and admirers
in Congress and outside of Congress
who would not willingly or quietly
nave accepted decision that appear
ed to put the blame altogether upon
him.
1t has been a costly delay, terribly
costly for ourselves, our soldiers, our
allies. The emergency was lmmedi-
ate and great, yet through General
Goethals' interference with the pro
gram already decided upon, three
precious months of Shipbuiiding have
been practically thrown away. But
for this delay a large fleet of COM
merce carriers would have been al
ready in the water, thousands of tons
of ships would have been ready Tor
service by Oct. l, every day three
ships would have been launched at
puts the matter in his letter 10 The
Times published yesterday:
Not till the armies of freedom
have been hampered by lack of sup
plies and reinforcements, and prob
ably not till some battles which
should have been victorious for them
have been drawn engagements II not
defeats, will any of the ships no"
\ planned appear i'll European waters.
But regrets are altogether vain.
The way is now clear and President
. Wilson, in his letter to Mr.. Dennam,
| declares that we must begin afresh
mot upon the program, for that is
in large part in process OF execution,
/ but upon the further execution of it.
| The utmost speed of construction is
| imperative. to the end that we may
/ make up, so far as possible, for the
i time lost. The work will now be in
4 the hands of Rear Admiral Capps
l Chief Constructor of the Navy, who
! succeeds General GOethals, and OF
/ Edward n. Hurley, formerly Chair
l man of the Trade Commission, who
/ takes Mr.. Denman's place. For the
place held by Mr.. White on the Ship
ping Board Mr.. Bainbrid2e Colby,
i member of the New York Bar, /:
i named. The appointment of Real
Admiral Capps is worthy OF all com
mendation. Like General Goethals
| he has a record of efficiency anC
achievement, and what is of yer!
great importance, he has the added
L qualification of knowing how Il
build ships. Mr.. Hurley is a MAJ
of business experience. he has
sound understanding Of business
problems. he did good service a
Chairman of the Trade Commission
Il resigning when he found it lmpos
sible to persuade the Commission t
be guided by good business prin
1 cipleS. There is TO apparent reason
/ why these new men should quarrel
/ There is no time for quarreling. Th
country expects them, the Presiden
/ commands them. to carry forwar'
l with all speed the program of sh1I
l construction.-N. Y. Times.