Evening journal., 1920-08-03
POLITICS AND the SHIPPING BOARD.

rUNHE Democratic administration at Washington is being
Il severely criticised by shipping circles for its delay
in appointing members to the u. S Shipping Board.
This delay Is said to be due political considerations.
The Shipping Board has been an inciter Of controversy
since the Denman-Goehas episodes and not until
The passage OF the JonesGreene shipping bill by the Re-
publican Congress have its duties been denited in a
manner which gives promise OF smooth operation and e-
fectve work
But the board can not function a two-sevenths or
ganizaton.
The shipping law provided for board OF seven
bers the salaries being $4,000 per annum, but one is
functionins and another has been selected.
The other 1--WE vacancies must walt until the admins
tration determined who is most deserving in po
cal sense, Of The job.
But at ihs point the administration is confronted with
difficulty
Il reported that Governor Cox has said that elected
he proposes his slate for the Shipping Board
regardless OF the appointments of President Wilson.
On the other hand the PresdentAo-be, Senator Hard
Ing will scarcely approve the Wilson slate for one OF two
reasons at least.
The Greene law declares that than four
OF the commissioners be Of the political
faith. Ordinarily this would make difference TO Mr.
Wilson in naming the personnel
The organic acts OF the Tariff Commission the Fed
eral Trade Commission, and several other additions to
the Democratic bureaucracy, carried similar provisions
but Mr. Wilson either paid attention TO the plain man
date Of those acts simply camounaged his actions by
appointing nearDemocras Of the Murdoch Colby type
thereby strengthening the position Of his party by
renforcements the following OF such political
ericks.
The appointment OF such 10 the shipping board at
this time would OF COURSE fail OF confirmation by the
Senate.
One reason given for Mr. Wilson's delay in naming the
board is thai Joe Tumuty has scouts out seeking
some dsguntled miebranded Republicans who be
brought into the Democratic camp and Induced 10 serve
the party in me present campaign.
II Is rumOred that California has been oombed for
such eligible, without result.
The business OF buying Republicans with federal pat
rsnage Is discouragng Democratic brokers in that COM
modify
The sensible thing for the administration TO do would,
OF course be to appoint The best qualified and avail
able TO handle the work
The country would excuse Mr. Wilson II be were par
tial TO members OF his party and gave that party
the predomnaus influence the board, provided his
selections men who knew the job.
Then let them take their chances their terms ~
onoe In this way we would get something done by the
board at very crucial moment In shipping trade.
As Il is Admiral Benson must await the appointment
OF the new members before permanent policies are
adopted.
The agency contract policy drafted and submitted
three or four ago the sales policy has been cut
lined awaits Official Endorsement; the summary steps
which the board must take under the terms Of the ACT
are about completed
But nothing can be done until the board Is organised
and the admnistEatlons peserous habit OF PLAYING poll
tics Just gums the game.
The cost 20 The american people loss OF trade through
this procrasbnaton the assistance TO formidable
pettors which this delay occasions and It's effect in curb
lng our carrying trade cannot be estimated in doars
and cents.
It is another instance Of playing party security against
national safety which has characterized this adminisra
ton since 1918.