South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-14
DENMAN BARES
HIS SIDE OF ROW
BIameS Loss of IS Ships to
u. S. to Two Members of
Congress.
international News Service:

charging tnat the JOSS OF HOIe ludn
Is large ships to the American flag
was due 10 at least two members
Of congress-" William Denman of
San Francisco demanded that
the commerce committee Of the SEN
ate hear his story of why the pro-
gram Of the shipping board has
failed. Loss OF these vessels, Den
man says, is responsible for the
present coal famine in Boston. New
York and Philadelphia.
Denman wants to tell his story in
public. he says, and claims it will
show that neither he nor Gen
Goethals lost the country a single
steel ship.
Denman's Letter.
His letter to Sen. Fletcher, chair
man Of the committee, is as follows:
In answer TO the questions 10
some of the senators, evidence has
been ELECTED that 10 steel ships
were not commandeered and were
lost to our flag because of neglect
due to differences between Gen.
Goethals and myself. The. press Of
the country unanimously reported
that from - TO Is large steel vessels
had been lost, and most of them
put the responsibility on me.
Il will show that no loss of any
ships from the flag arose through
any act or omission OF either Gen.
GOethals or myself, but, on the con-
trary, that 1 was one OF the active
participants in saving over a million
tons of vessels TO the American flag.
Prevented Departure.
Il will show that. instead Of pre-
venting the operation Of someone
else's Communicating order, Il was
who procured an order preventing
the departure of vessels during the
last 10 days of our incumbency and
pending the disagreement between
Gen. Goethals and the majority of
the board concerning the Hog island
contract
II will show that it is true that
more than 10 large steel ships were
lost TO the flag, and will place the
blame where it belongs. This does
not concern Gen. Goethals, but does
concern at least two members Of
congress. who should participate in
the responsibility.
Il will show the relationship be-
tween the loss of these vessels and
the shortage Of fuel and coal in our
larger cities. particularly Boston,
New York and Philadelphia. If we
had retained them, and used them
properly. the coal famine in these
cities would have been greatly allev-
lated, if not avoided.
Made Vigorous Protest.
q will show that these vessels
were lost over my vigorous protest.
Though personally not concerned
with the Sloan contract, 1 believe I
will oe able to justify at least Gen.
Goethals' connection with this trans
action.
Il will clearly demonstrate the
error of one Of the witnesses before
you in suggestion, in response to
your question, that / favored wooden
over steel construction. and will
show that l sought 10 secure a large
increase in our steel fleets long be-
fore Gen. Goethals had even met
any members of the board. 1 will
show that / was opposed TO wooden
construction, and was only driven
to the advocacy of building wooden
ships by the terrific efficiency of the
submarine.
Il Will show that 1 sought, and
congress granted, far more drastic
powers for the creation Of a steel
tonnage than even Gen. Goethals
himself cared to have.
Says Shortage Will Increase.
Il will show that, despite the abil-
| ity shown by the present board in
carrying out our policies, the grave
shortage Of tonnage now existing
. will probably increase instead Of
decrease during the current year.
This statement is based on the pres
ent indicated rate of submarine de-
structiOn and the anticipated rate of
manufacture of ships. We can
/ hardly expect to exceed our hopeful
estimates as 10 creation. We have
no guarantee that the Huns will not
increase the effectiveness Of their
! torpedoes as they have of their
cannon.
4 4 6lldll uLSt tic cnApDlAb bOdA u
to conceive our shipbuilding policy
as Gen. Goethals finally came 10
express it over his signature in the
month of July. He said We must
/ build all the wooden ships and all
the steel ships that can be provided.
Opposes Elimination of Wood.
Il shall vigorously oppose the
adoption OF Admiral Bowles' pro-
gram that we eliminate in any way
the building of wooden vessels, in
/ ferior as they are in peace time,
/ until our clear and safe margin OF
! construction over destruction is at
/ least so per cent.
q am informed that certain pOr-
, tons Of the record have seen de-
! leted by the witnesses, so that as il
now is, the record would not sup
port the newspaper charges con-
! corning the loss OF the 5 ships. I
/ know that the deletion was an act
Of friendliness. It's purpose prob
ably was 10 take from the record a
statement which would be hurtful
10 me- II would. however, be dOubly
/ hurtful if it's removal robbed me
of the opportunity OF an emphatic
/ public denial which would, in a fair
press. obtain the anne measure OF
publicity as did the first erroneous