Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-25
WILSON SETTLES
SHIPPING BOARD
ROW BY USE OF AK
Managers Resignation Ac-
cepted and Chairman Is
Asked to Follow. Suit.
WASHINGTON SURPRISED
BY HIS DRASTIC ACTION
Rear-Admiral Capps Succeeds the
Man Who Built Panama
Canal
HURLEY IS MADE CHAIRMAN
Believed Now That ShipbuiIding Pro.
gram Will Go Forward Without
Further Embarrassment.
HURLEY IS MADE CHAIRMAN
Believed Now That Shipbuilding Pro.
gram Will Go Forward Without
Further Embarrassment.
[Ry Assoclated Press. l

WAo1lNGION, July 2i.-PreStdent
Wilson brought the Shipping Boara
row to an abrupt termination to-day
by eliminating the two principals. Will
liam Denman, chairman of the board.
and Major-General George W. Goe-
thals, manager of the boards Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation in charge of
construction.
The resignation of General Goethals,
rendered several days ago. was accept
ed. and Mr.. Denman was asked by tho
President to follow suit, that the gov
ernments building program, might 20
forward without embarrassment. -.
Edward n. Hurley. of Chicago. for
mer chairman of the Federal Trade
Commission. was named by the Presie
dent to succeed Mr.. Denman and become
chairman of the board. and Bainbridge
Colby. of New York. was appointed
successor to Captain John b. White. OF.
Kansas City. another board member
whose resignation, offered to the Presi-
dent month ago. also was accepted.
Rear Admiral Washington La. Capps.
chief constructoI OF the ma w, will SUE.
ceed General Goethafs as manager OF
the Fleet Corporation. taking immedi-
ate charge OF the building program.
PROMPT CONFIRMATION
IN SENATE EXPECTED
The nominations of Mr.. Hurley and
Mr.. Colby went to the Senate this az
ternoon. and were referred to the Com.
merce Committee. Their prompt con-
f1rmation was predicted by both Demo-
cratic and Republican leaders. Ss
MIR. Denman sent his resignation to
the White House Immediately after re-
ceipt of the Presidents letter request
Inv
testify took him by surprise. but his
only comment was this:
1T was the best way to settle tho
whole thing. / want to help the Presi.
dent in every way possible. and never
have questioned the wisdom of his de-
cisions." ~
1t was reported tonight that Theo-
dore Brent, vice-chairman of the board,
who has been strong supporter Of
Mr. Denman's position. had offered to
quit the board II the President thought
1t best. but at the White House 1t was
said no communication had been re-
cetved from him. John A Donald ana
X b. Stevens. the other board members,
VINO have lineo up with General Goo.
thals. said they mad no intention Of
resigning. 80
The Presidents method OF ending the
controversy came as great surprise
TO most officials here. who had believed
ne would make a final effort to COM
pose the situation by dividing definite.
ly between the Slipping Board and the
manager OF its corporation the powers
conferred on the executive by Con.
gress. Mr.. Wilson apparently became
convinced that Denman and Gosthaf.
never could work in harmony, and thar
both were In measure to be blamed
Tor the delay to the shipbuildine pro
gram. r.3-E
WOODEN SHIP PROGRAM
NEVER FULLY SUPPORTED
virtually from the start of the
trouble, it became known tonight. Mr.
Denman did not have the full support
or the board for his wooden ship pro-
gram Mr. Donald and Mr.. Stevens.
consistently supported the general. but
MT. Brent and Captain White stood
win the Chairman. After he had OF.
iered MS resignation month ago on
account OF Ill health, Captain White
returned to Washington in time to cast
the deciding vote against tie Goethals
building program.
General Goethals's announcement ~
this program furnished the cause for
. .
plan was the original program PRO-
posed by the shipping Board. OH. M
Denman Is said to have resented the &
tact that the general. In making IL
public. declared he would proceed with
out consulting the board.
The Presidents order conferring the
power as given by Congress authorized
the board to operate ships and the corr
poration to build them. General Gon-
thals. REINFORCED by letter from
President Wilson which declared he
would not be hampered. took the order
to mean he would have free hand,
Mr.. Denman. with letter from the
President which he thought charged
the Shipping Board with responsibility
for the expenditures Of the funds sup
piled by Congress. promptly hiocked
the generals plans.
GENERAL GOETHALS
CALLED TO ACCOUNT
Difficulties then developed thick are
fast, and another letter went from tho
IN Ir-.. * q