New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
Resented Dictation as to
Craftsmanship of Ship
ping Board
TOLD TO SUPPORT
PACIFIC COAST MAN
Suggestion Approved by
Wilson, Statement of
Secretary of Treasury
FROM The Tribune Bureau


Washington, Jan. 27.--Becsuse Ber-
lard n. Baker. former president of the
Atlantic Transport Line. would not
,gree to let William G, McAdoo, Sec
retsry Of the Treasury, run the Ship
ming Board, he was forced 10 resign
from the board. 1t had been expected
hat Mr.. Baker, who is the best quail
fed expert in practical experience on
"a. board. would be made chairman
Mr.. Baker had been permitted to name
every member Of the board except one
William Denmsn. Of San Francisco.
On Thursday Mr.. McAdoo sent for
vr. Bsker and informed him that he
vished Mr.. Denman selected as chair
man Of the board, since the Admins
,rstion wanted a man from the Pacfe
Coast at the head of the organization.
Inst why he wished the Pacific Coast to
he thus recognized he did not explain
Int the President has been quite frank
IN talks with Senators urging the
water power and oil bills. He has ad-
nitted half a dozen times that he
wished to discharge the debt Of the
Administration to the West.
Surprised by Request
Astounded. Mr.. Baker said that he
,,opld have 10 have q night 70 think IT
over Having written the bill as de-
sired by the Administration ana
worked harder than any other one man
70 ret the measure through Congress-
he naturally thought he would have
voice in the direction of the s5o'oOo'uoo
government enterprise u..l,,.
"He didn't know MeAdoo was reaily
Going TO be the board, said a DelnO-
cratic Senator who had heard the stoaS'
sHe thought he was going 10 DC so'ie
thing more than puppet; Az
Mr. McAdoo made II eIesr 70 ~.
Raker that the President was suppoI.-
mo him in debating the ooaro nlo .;,,
So not knowing where the dlCvS'. ~"
wopld end, and not desiring 10 oe Le.
snonsible for something over Whlch NJ
bsd no real control, Mr. BAKER IT,
signed. ,...oon. of Mr.. Nc
Adoo. made to-day in response W
queries as to the reason for the BAKER
~ is true that Bernard n. Baker
mas resigned from the Shipping Board
and that the President has accepted hls
rssienation. Mr.. Baker resigned DC.
cause ! suggested TO him that | thousn'
\ would be wise, in the circumstance
he board would consider giving the
.hairmsuship TO the Pacific coast 4ne
President was in accord with tnis sug-
restion. Mr.. Baker said he desired 70
.hink the matter over Tor the night
The next morning he sent IN his resig'
nation.
Spirit Of Cooperation
"Tbc selection of suitable men for
The Shipping Board and the proper or
s,stter Of great concern to the Admins
srstion ever since the passage OF the
shining bin. The suggestion about the
ehairmanship was made in a spirit OF
coSneration and with a desire to be
helpful. The board has the right under
he law 10 select its own chairman, but
there is no reason why a suggestion
from the Administration should not re-
eeive consideration. | have had warm
regard always for Mr.. Baker, and re-
gret his hasty action"
The statement is emphasized by tne
fact that the Administration originally
MANNED to have Mr.. McAdoo an OK
oficio member Of the Shipping Board
After the first filbuster, led by the
late Senator Clarke, of Arkansas, had
beaten the shipping till, many conces-
sions were made by the Administration,
as a result of which the passage OF the
bill was permitted. One concession was
that the Secretary of The Treasury
should not be a member of the board.
Senator'S tonight recalled that, when
Secretary McAdoo was accused OF de-
sign 70 buy the interned German liners
daring the session at which the first
ship purchase bill failed, Mr.. Baker
testified generating the Cabinet mem.
ber Although Mr.. Bakers wife had
died that morning, he forced himself
TO testify later in the day. Mr. Baker
was overcome when on the stand, and
had TO be allowed several minutes TO
recover.
The Baker resignation, judging from
comments of Senator'S, is likely TO be
freely discussed in Congress, and 1t is
predicted that the appointment OF his
successor on the Shipping Board will
not be confirmed as easily as were those
Of the other members.