The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-13

ing the contract with the william
Cramp Company, of Philadelphia, or
communicating the plant for Govern
ment operation. Before a decision
was reached we resigned Denman
declared
I'm signing contracts for ship con-
struction did you use the cost-plus sys-
TEN 20 Walsh asked. 81,
II did not. Both General Goethals
and were opposed to the cost-pfus
plan" Denman replied
STEEL SHIPS FIRST.
what was your policy on wooden
ships?" Washed asked.
"Our plan was to get as many steel
ships under way as possible and to
construct all the wooden ships pos
sible to a number which would not
disturb the construction of steel
ships.
General Goethals told me we
should build as many OF the HUFF type
of wooden ships as possible and offer
ed to help. / do not mean to say that
General Cocktails was looking for a
job. Later 1 offered him $4,000
year and he said he would be salts
fed with his army pay. He is n good
American.
"A week after that I appeared in
New York, where 1 was misquoted
as advocating the building of a
bridge of wooden ships to Europe,
which was an impossible move.
Il asked President Wilson to
name the general to aid in the con-
struction program. Both General
Goethals and I opposed the principle
of building wooden ships.
General Goethals was not a diplo-
mat and his expressed dislike of
the wooden ship as a commercial
venture was misunderstood" Dem
man continued.
DISAGREED WITH BOARD.
There was never a difference be-
tween Goethals and myself. His
differences were with the Shipping
Board as whole. The difficulties
arose over the Hog Island enter
prise. The board insisted that
Goethals take the Hog Island project
up with them because the board
knew il was responsible for the
program"
general Cocktails did not want to
waste time with us. ard sympathizc
with him, because board management
is not the most satisfactory when
speed is required. IT was the dispute
over authority which led to the resig-
nations" Denman said.
"Was there any delay in the ships
program because OF these Contro-
versies?" Walsh asked.
absolutely none" Dcnman said.
General. Goethals was supreme in
all matters OF constructions except as
to policy and the type of ships" Den
man said.
"Was he to be supreme i'm approx
ing new yard construction, prices,
agreements and other construction
matters?" Walsh asked.
"He was"
REVIEWED. HIS CONTRACTS.
"Then all you did was TO sign what
General Cocktails sent you in the
form of contracts?" Walsh continued.
"T reviewed the contracts that
might be able 10 defend them in ask
ing appropriations"
rs IL not your judgment that .hc
haste of the early days was not wall
founded and that delays resulted from
haste in granting contracts" Walsh
asked.
There Is that element, but YOU
must remember there was no interest
in shlpbuilding and we had to hook
contracts to contracts to get thCm
going. We anticipated losses, and
we abe glad they were not as great as
i'm the aeroplane industry Denman
replied.
Goethals and Schwab did monu-
mental work. You cannot hope me 10
defend the shipbuilding program on
the ground II was not wasteful," Den
man continued.
FORBID u. s. INSPECTORS.
"Did you sign the Skinner and Eddy
contract which provided that Govern
ment inspectors could not go into the
plant7" Congressman Foster of Ohio
asked.
~ do not remember that contract"
do you believe that the policy OF
Mr. Schwab in having q contractor