New-York tribune., 1920-10-23
Shipping Board
Appointments
Are Criticised
AllThose Reported as Named
Regarded as Thoroughly
in Sympathy With Poll
cies of the Administration
Confirmation Not Likely
New Board, However, Can
Serve Until Harding Has
Taken Presidents Place

Lax 4
President Wilson's appointments of
Eve Of the seven members. as an
nounced. 20 constitute the new Ship
njng Board, have inspired no enthusi-
ssm in shipping circles. This was
manifest yesterday in the opinions ex-
messed in all branches Of shipping ac-
,vity
The reapro.n,ment of Admiral Ben
sOn. which had been expected, was IA
vorably received. but ii was pointed
out that Of the other four none could
be regarded as q representative ship
p,nc men TIE board, so fev $ the
President has appointed it, consists Of
two LAWYERS, q naval officer and a news
paper editor.
While there is little likelihood that
Congress VIII confirm the appoint
merits, it was remarked. the board as
named can remain in Office until Re-
putlSan Administration comes into
power or nearly five months at least,
and in that time many policies of the
utmost Importance TO the future of the
American merchant marine must be de-
cided upon.
While two Of the appointces have
had connections with the Shipping
Board in minor capacities. neither is
regarded as experienced in the opera
ton Of ships and the conduct of mari
time affairs. Admiral Benson. there
fore. is to be regarded as the only
member IN touch with the general ship
ping situatlon
Donald VIII Probably Remain
There is some doubt as to the status
Of Commlss s.onor Donald, who has been
serving with Admiral Benson and who
is not among the new appointees named
By President Wilson. AS only two Of
the members of the board can be cho-
sen from the Atlantic Coast district
and as Admiral Benson and Theodore
Marburr are both from that section,
it is evident that Nh Donald, who is
from New York State, cannot be named
b. the Pres dent as one Of the two
appointments Yet to be made
That Mr.. Donald is not eliminated
from the board as at present cOnsti-
tuted seems evident from the wording
Of That part OF the merchant marine
act Of 1920 providing for the creation
OF The new Sh pping Board. In section
Of the act IL IS stated:
The commissioners in office at the
time this section as amended takes ef-
feet shall mold office until all the
commissioners provided for in this sec
ton as amended are appointed and
quail w.
Until Pres dent Wilson has named
two ether members Of the board in ad-
dition TO the five already appointed,
Mr. Donald will probably continue to
Sit as member Of the board. 1t is
understood that he wishes to retire
from membership, Dut that he Is will
lrg to remain until the new board IS
completed. HIS retirement will be re-
GREETED by shipping interests. as he is
one Of the few practical shipping men
who have been members of the board.
Political iavors Repaid
From the viewpoint of shipping men
the Presidents appointments were
made as political rewards rather than
with view 10 the qualifications OF
the appointee 10 deal with the prob
lens OF the American merchant marine.
Theodore Marburg, of Baltimore,
who is announced as q Republican ap-
pointment. the only one IN the five
named recently came out as sup
porter Of Governor Cox as candidate
for the Presidency; Gavin McNab, OF
San Francisco, Is one o. the leaders
Of the Democratic party in that city
and Is prominent in state politics; and
Frederick Thompson, the Mobile ed
Nor, was delegate to the Baltimore
convention at which Mr.. Wilson was
first nominated
All FIVE appointees arc regarded as
thoroughly ia sympathy with the pol
lcles which the present Administration
mas pursued in respect to the handing
Of maritime affairs.
Considerable surprise attaches to the
appointment Of MI Thompson as the
representative Of the Gulf Coast on
the board Both New Orleans and
Gaveston are regarded as much more
important ports than Mobile. 1t had
been expected that the appointment for
this district would go to william Allen,
secretary Of the National Merchant Ma
rlne Association, who is thoroughly ia
miliar with transportation problems.
In the case Of MIR Gillen, this is
MS second nomination as q member Of
sae board, the President having sent
ms name to the Senate last spring.
40 action was taken by the Senate,
however
May Sell Ships Abroad Now
With five members sitting on the
board II Viii now be possible to take
steps for the sale of part of the board
100000 tons Of ships to foreign in
'erests. This has been impossible hith-
ef'o because the merchant marine act
requires that such sales can only be
made with an affirmative vote of at
esst five members of the board.
Inc Presidents delay since early last
June IN making the appointments, how
ever, has greatly lessened the likeli-
nOod Of the sale Of any appreciable
ssA'ount Of tonnage to foreigners. Since
,.s' spring snip values have decreased
..eae'ly and rapidly and the demand
~ new tonnage has followed suit.
hecent sales Of former German ships