New-York tribune., 1920-11-16
None OF Guilty
Will Escape,
Says Benson
Chairman Of Shipping Board
Declares Errors May Be
Expected in Stupendous
Marine Program of L. S.
Asks Critics To Be Fair
Big Job Now Is to Develop
Merchant Fleet; Wants
Views To Be Constructive

OHARLES ONs ,. =, NOV. 10 \Dy
The Associated Press .-Replying to
critics of the Shipping Board and
Emergency Fleet Corporation, Rear
Admiral w. 6. Benson, chairman of
the board, declared in an address here
tonight before the South Atlantic
Ports Association that his fellow coun
trymcn could depend upon it that no
wrongdoer connected with the board
will escape If his wrongdcing is called
to his attention.
"Not only have l insisted upon the
closest watch upon all Matters" said
Chairman Benson, "but have followed
the work of the Shipping Board in
every port Of the world with the one
thought in mind that we are now
reaching that crucial moment which
spells either the success or failure Of
a permanent merchant marine.
There is no effort on our part to
shirk whatever responsibility we have
assumed. We have insisted that at all
times the records are open to the pub
lie. Every facility is offered to those
who desire information.
East to Pick Flaws, He Says
at is an easy matter for any one
to pick flaws in an organization like
the Shipping Roard. We had to train
10000 shipbaiders, and in the man
ming of our ships we have had to
train thousands of men. OF course, in
an organization Of this magnitude, you
will find here and there evidences of
wrongdoing and now and then you
will uncover systematic effort to de-
fraud.
at was necessary for the Shipping
Board to employ men whose sole re-
sponslbillty was the uncovering of
wrongdoing. and these men we're
charged with heavy responsibility.
The men whom we depend upon to be
checks upon those who might be tempt
ed to do wrong bear a heavy response
bility if they fail us, but in an or
ganization spending more than three
billion dollars, where. as the largest
steamship operator in the w4rld, mill
ions Of dollars are expended from day
TO prevent all wrongdoing or to d,
business without suffering financial
losses from time to time
Men of vision will take into con-
sideration the whole picture presented
by shipping problems, Chairman Ben
son asserted, recalling the work done
by the American merchant marine dur
ing the war and praising the vision Of
Edward \. Hurley, who as chairman Of
the board after the armistice, went
ahead with the shipbuilding program.
Payne Had Big sponsbility
"My predecessor, John Barton Payne,
had a heavy responsibility placed upon
him when he stepped into the office
made vacant through Mr.. Hurley's res
ignation,' Admiral Benson continued.
"Ihousands of claims amounting to
millions of dollars, the jobs of more
than 100000 men involved in the set
tlement Of these claims, problems Of
reconstruct Jon, are only a few of the
many pressing matters that came be-
fore him in a days work."
responsibility for the establish
ment Of a permanent merchant ma
r.ne rests with the American people as
We'll as with the board, Chairman Ben
son declared, adding that sit is the re-
sponsi ibillty Of every newspaper pub
Usher in America. and | have time and
9Gain called upon the press, ana they
nave met me in a noble mannet. to
pread this message before the world
America is now ship independent"
Declaring that he was charged, as
chairman Of the board, with great re-
sponsibility, Chairman Benson said he
would be cowardly if he refused to ex-
orcise to the best of his judgment the
powers vested in him.