Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-07-28
COCKTAILS and
DENMAN QUIT
Wilson Ends Ship Dispute by
Recognizing Board.
TO START ANEW, He SAYS
Edward N. Hurley, Of Chicago. and
Rear Admiral capps to Head tho

Rear Admiral Capps to Head the
Board.
President Wilson settled the con
troVersy over the government plan fol
construction of the great emergency
fleet.
AS the first step, he accepted the
resignation which Major General
George w. Cocktails, general manager
or the Emergency IFlcet corporation
extended several days ago.
He then sent a letter to William
Denman, chairman Of the shipping
board, the opponent of General Goe
thals In the wrangle, asking that he
also resign. Mr., Denman did so.
The president accepted the resfgna
ton of Captain John B. White, of Kan
sas City, supporter Of Mr.. Denman
on the board.
AS the final step, the president an
nounced that Edward N. Hurley, a Chi
cago business man and former chair
man of the federal trade commission
VIII become chairman of the shippine
board; that Rear Admiral WASHINGTON
Il. Gapps, chief constructor of the ha
Wy, Will succeed to the post of General
Cocktails, and that cambridge Colby
Of New York, will take tho place b,
Captain White.
I want to help tho president fl
nveEE way possible" mfr: Denmar
said, "and never have Questioned tl,<
wisdom of s;is decisions"
Announcement or the presidents nc
ton was made with publication of the
letter tho executive sent to NJ. Den
man. In this the president suggested
that Mr.. Denman would be glad to take
the "same disintorested and seHf.for
getting course that General Goethals
has taken"
Tie presidents letter follows:
81 hope and believe that am inter
prettng your best Judgment, as we'll as
my own, when say that our duty con
corning tho debate and misunderstood
ings that have risen in connection with
the shtpbuilding program ought to be
settled without regard to our personal
preferences or orr personal feelings
altogether, and with tho single purpose
OF doing what will be best to serve the
public interest.
/ mo decision wo can now arrive n,
could eliminate the elements of contro
versy that have crept into almost every
question connected with tho program
and am convinced TINT tho only wiss
course Is to begin ofresh-not upon The
program, for that Is already in large
part III proCssS Of execution. hut upon
the further execution OF Il.
" have found both you and Genera
Goethals ready to servo the public al
personal sacrifice. Realizing TINT
the only manner In which the way can
bio completely cleared for harmonious
and effective action Is to carry Out
shipbuilding plans forward from this
point through now agencies.
General Cocktails has put his resig
nation In my hands, and have accent
ed 1t IN the same spirit in which II
was tendered--not as deciding between
two men whom I respect and admire
but In order to make lnvidious decis
ions unnecessary and lot the work be
developed without further discussion
Of what Is past.
II am taking the liberty of wrtins
to tell you this in the confidence that
you will be glad to take the same dis
interested and sGlf:forgetting course
that General Cocktails has taken.
"When you have done as he has
done, I am sure that you may count
with tho utmost confidence upon the
ultimate verdict Of tho people Of the
country with regard to you magnani
nous and unselfsh view of public duty
and upon winning in the retrospect
the same admiration and confidence
that have learned to feel for you.
"With much regard and very grea,
appreciation Of the large services YOU
have rendered.
Cordially and sincerely yours.
"WOODROW WILSON,"