The Washington times., 1921-03-01
BENSON FOREMAN
ASSH|P BOARD HEAD
His Retention Urged Upon Hard
Ing az Necessary to Clearing
OF Gables Dispute.

lihood will remain chairman OF the
shipping Board after March $th until
Mr.. Harding has had q chance 10
thoroughly grasp the international
situation as IL affects our shipping
This was the opinion Expressed to-
day by leading Republicans In close
touch with shipping legislation ana
international AFFAIRS.
Retention OF Admiral Benson for
this highly important position. which
he has occupied since March, 1870.
win be urged upon Mr.. Harding by
powerful Republican leaders on the
ground. II was said. that to drop Al
miral Benson at this time with the
Island OF zap and the cable con-
troversy up In the air would be
blow at our negotiations. Few peo-
pie are acquainted with the promi-
nent part Admiral Benson Is now tax
ing as a member OF the international
Communications Council, which 10 to
determine the ALLEGATION or the nve
German cables seized during the war
WANT HIM DROPPED.
A we'll founded report that strong
pressure has been brought to bear to
have Admiral Benson dropped ~
member OF this international confer
,nce las been traced 70 foreign cable
interests, who fear the intense Amer
lean point OF view expressed recently
by Admiral Benson In connection with
facilities.
1t was recalled today that the hrst
public declaration made by Admiral
Benson when he became chairman OF,
the Shipping Board was before the
National Marine League In New York
City In April, 1920. At that time he
said:
TN view OF the international sit
uation that existed throughout the
war. every encouragement should
be given to the control and use Of
the radio service by the Govern
ment under the navy which has
proven SO effective and SO useful
to the commercial interests, not
only during the war. but since the
armistice. During and particular
ly since the blockade was raised
has this need developed. In fact. In
order to in any way meet the CON-
mercial needs Of commerce not only
to the continent of Europe, but
with the far East and our West
coast, 1t becomes absolutely neces-
sary to use the navy radio stations
more and more. Even these arc
not sufficient in number or capity
to meet the needs above what the
cables can meet. Therefore. we
urge greater support OF centrally
controlled wireless telegraph SER
vice under direction of the navy to
promote safety Of life and property
at sea, and to give to America the
advantage of CONSTANT commercial
information
GAVE VIEWS AT DINNER.
Before the same Organization at
dinner given in Chicago upon the
opening OF the Marine Exposition
there q few months ago. he said:
IF ever the world required truth
telling as an international trait,
now is the time. We are fast APP
preaching the moment when all the
problems OF peace brought on by
our entry in the world affairs must
be met. In Washington from day to
day men with whom have the dis
tinguished honor OF serving on in
.ternati onal cable communication
matters meet In common effort to
solve a vital problem of commune
cation. In the settlement of prob
lens, we must have faith in the
wisdom OF Divine power. In His
wisdom He gave the sunshine to
all, the aid we breathe. the life we
enjoy. and those things which sus-
tain life
almost all international situa-
tons which result in wars have
been brought or by unfair compe-
tition, commercial envy. jealousy or
fear. AS long as these are nurtured
we face troubled waters in the
world. Because I believe in plain
speaking. have been subjected to
criticisms. bear no international
antipathies. Indeed, my heart goes
out to those in other lands who are
now faced with the trying recon-
struction problems wrought by
wars destructive forces 1t should
be our one thought in developing
our merchant marine to point the
way toward the prevention of all
these things and to have always be-
fore US the helpful part we should
and must play in aiding the recon-
struction Of the devastated lands
"If the various nations now inter-
ested principally In world commerce
and particularly world shipping
woke up to a realization that fair
dealing, giving the other fellow o
chance, was the best business pol
icy, the cause of peace would be
advanced more than in any other
way. We must do our shars Of tho
worlds work. but we must always
bear in mind not to push forward
too rapidly at time when other ma