The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-28

cated steer ships, undoubtedly will be
adopted Almost as II stands. Chair
man Denman already has asked con
gress to reduce the cost Of ships to
be fabricated, and the State depart
meht supports his position that the
United states should requisition Brit
ish ships building In American yards.
MIR. .Denman's resignation leaves
Vice Chairman Brent as temporary
chairman and there will be no inter-
rhptiOn to the boards work.
Until their nominations have been
confirmed Mr.. Hurley and Mr.. Colby
will sit with the board as members
without power to vote. Meantime.
Rear Admiral Capps will take i'm
mediate charge OF building. He is a
naval constructor of wide experience
and at present is head of the Naval
Compensation Board, which passes on
the cost Of warships built by con-
tractors on the cost plus percentage
basis. 't o.
Mr.. Hurley Is a manufacturer of
pneumatic machinery and as chair
man OF the Trade Commission gave
most of his time to the establishment
OF better relations between the gov
ernment and business. Tonight he
announced this statement:
II appreciate the Importance of the
task with which the president has in
trusted me. We must build ships, not
talk about them. American labor. tho
most skillful and intelligent in the
world. can turn out the ships in rec-
ord-breaking time and we are going
TO buckle down and get busy" .
In announcing acceptance of the
resignation OF Gen. Goethals and the
request that Mr.. Denman resign, the
White House made public tonight the
presidents letters to both men. c
The presidents letter to Mr.. Den
man follows:
Il hope and believe that am inter-
preting your best judgment as well as
my own when say that our duty con-
cerning the debate and misunderstand-
ings that have arisen in connection
with the shipbuilding program ought
to be settled without, regard to our
personal preferences or our personal
feelings altogether and with the single
purpose Of doing what will be best
to serve the public interest.
mo decision we can arrive at could
eliminate the elements of controversy
that have crept into almost every
question connected with the program:
and I am convinced that the only wise
course Ia to begin afresh--not upon
the program. for that II already IN
large part In process Of execution. but
upon the further explanation OF 1t.
y have found both yon ana Gen,
Qpeth5 $sep - ssFv4 ~ pnblls ~
& psrDo1la1 S66rilscs. HsGl lIsing that
the only manner in which the way ca
be completely cleared for harmonious
aAd effective action IL to carry our
shipbuilding plans forward from this
point through new agencies. Gen. Goe.
thals has put his resignation in nv
hands: and have accepted 1t in tho
same spirit In which 1t was tenderedA
not as deciding between two men
whom i respect and admire. but in
order to make invidous decisions un-
necessary and let the work be Develop
cd without further discussion of what
is past =
II am taking the liberty of writing
to tell you this in the confidence that
you will be glad to take the same dis
intereseed and self-forgetting course
that Gen. Goethals has taken. When
you have done as he has done I an,
sure that yc- may count with the ut
most confidence upon the ultimate
verdict OF the people of the country
with regard to your magnanimous
and unselfish view of public duty and
upon winning In the retrospect the
same admiration and confidence that
I have learned to feel for you.
with much regard and very great
appreciation of tho large services you
have rendered. cordially and sincerely
yours. (Signed) -.
Woodrow Wilson,"
President Wilson's letter To Cen.
Goethals follows.
| Your Letter OF July 20 does you
great honor. (This was the generals
letter of resignation.) 1T is conceiv-
ed In fine spirit of public duty such
as have learned to expect OF you.
This Is. as you say. a case where the
service Of the public Is the only thing
to be considered. Personal feelings and