Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-26
.COLBY'S POLITICS
IN SPOTLIGHT NOW
Senators Want to Know lust
Where Shipping Board Ap-
pointee Stands.
CONFIRMATION is HELD UP
One of Founders of Progressive
Party, but Stumped for
Wilson.
CONFIRMATION is HELD UP

WASHINGTON. July 25.-Contirma-
tion by the Senate to-day of Edward
Hurley's appointment to the Shipping
man. forecasts an early start on the
governments shipbuilding program
Mr.. Hurley probably will meet with
the board tomorrow. He will be
President Wilson
The nomination Of Bainbridge Colby
to succeed Captain John = White. was
not acted on to-day, at the request
of Senators Wadsworth and Calder, Of
New York. who desire that an inquiry
be made regarding his political stand
in. No active opposition to hi. con-
firmation is looked for by administra-
tion leaders. He was one of the found
ers of the Progressive party. but in
President Wilson.
NOT MORE THAN THREE MEMBERS
OF SAME POLITICAL FAITH
The law provides that not more than
three members Of the board may be or
the same political faith. The Now York
Senators want to look into Mr.. Colby's
politics. Though Progressive, he
supported President Wilson in the last
campaign. 1t is an open secret that
the New York Senators could be given
no more bitter pill to swallow than
the man whom they consider chiefly
responsible for the Wilson Bull Moose
rotc.
Further objection to Mr.. Colby may
develop through the fact that he is
me second member of the board from
New York City. The other is John a.
Donald. The law provides that the ap-
pvintments to this board must be
equitably distributed in a geographical
as we'll as political sense. II was
| predicted to-day that some OF the
Southern or Western Senators. now de-
prived of any representation on the
board. might join in fight against
Mr.. Colby's ,coufir alton,
The difficultys may be solveH BY the
President. however. through the ap-
| pointment of successor to Theodore
Brent vice-chairman Of the Board. Mr..
Brent's resignation was confirmed by
the White House No hint of the Pres
i,ent's action was forthcoming there.
IT 1t was said in other well-lnformed
quarters that Mr.. Brent's resignation
would be accepted as soon as Mr.. Hur-
| ley qualities as chairman of the board.
| SO that a quorum may be maintained.
| Mr. Brent was one of William Den
! mans warm supporters, and in his
| resignation he states that he cannot
serve under a different policy than
| that of Mr.. Denman.
lnNJRAI CAPPS First
TO GET DOWN TO WORK
Admiral Capps was the only one of
the new figures in the shipping house
cleaning TO get to work to-day. with
characteristic navy promptness he re-
ported at the Shipping Board Office
| early this morning. 1t was before any
of the members of the board had ap-
peared, and Admiral Capps did not wait
for them. He went to the Fleet Cor
poration's office. a block away. and
spent the morning in conference with
| his predecessor. General Cocktails. He
partment, where It Is reported he is
choosing some of the construction
corps to act as his aids In building
| merchant ships.
Mr.. Hurley and Mr.. Colby went to
the White House and talked briefly
with the President.
Neither Mr.. Denman nor General
Goethals has announced his plans for
the future, but Mr.. Denman probably
will resume the practice Of iaw in San
ber Of firm Of consulting engineers
in New York. but 1t is said ne may
seek active army service