The Washington herald., 1917-07-20
BOARD
BATTLE SETTLED
Concession Believed Made
on Both Sides, Giving
Goethals Free Rein.

The Goethals-Denman shipbuilding
controversy appeared to be finally
settled last night. 1t is believed con-
tracts for building ships and the two
proposed government ship yards will
be offered this evening. 1t also is
likely the orders for Communicating
ships on the stocks in course of con-
struction will be sent out today.
All differences of opinion between
Gen. George W. Goethals, as manager
of the Emergency Fleet Corporation
and Chairman William Denman of
the Shipping Board have been ad-
justed to date and no further delay
in starting actual work on the gov
ernment's shipbuilding program is
expected
1t is generally understood that con-
sessions have been made by both sides
to the controversy and that in the
future working out of the building
program Gen. Goethals will be given
a free rein.
At the conclusion of a lengthy con-
ference yesterday between Gen. Goe-
thals, and the Shipping Board MEM
bers. Chairman Denman issued a for
NAL statement in which he stated that
rapid progress was being made and
that the entire program probably
would be ready within a very short
time. He also stated that the board
was receiving every assistance from
Gen. Goethals.
The two government ship yards will
be erected on government property,
1t was stated, and no agreement
looking to giving up any of these
yards to private interests will be
entered into at this time. The COM
Wandering program, it is declared, is
being considered by the State Depart
ment and a definite policy likely will
be determined upon today.
Conference This Morning.
Gen. Goethals will hold another con-
ference with the Shipping Board this
morning, and at that time will fur
nish all the data now needed for the
board to finally pass upon the pro-
gram he announced last Friday. This
program, 1t is understood, will not
be greatly changed except as regards
prices.
In referring to the proposal to name
food board, Senator Lewis said yes
terday in the Senate:
IF We name a board constituted of
large number, warn you now, we
will have another repetition Of the in
excusable situation which confronts
America touching the Shipping Board
and the Shipping Corporation. II the
matter of the construction of ships
had been placed in a single respon-
sible head, which person had been
subject to the confirmation of this
body, there would be no such exhibit
tion as that today, of a contest for
epaulettes between commanding heads
of contesting agencies for the graft
fication of their ambition, while the
opportunities of America are being
wasted and her need passing by with
out being served at a critical hour:
for America observes that at a time
when there should be the ringing of
the hammer, the buzz of the saw.
and the employment OF millions of
men, hundreds of thousands of men,
in building ships. In order that our
men could be quickly transported and
our food soon conveyed, we have in
stead conflict between boards and
members of boards as to which shall
dominate, who shall be captain, which
shall be general. who shall have the
power before the country and be rec
gonized as king of the enterprise"