Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-01-22
w ROBERT J.. BENDER.
I nite<I News SfafT CorrrsponIrnf-

Nuhlic-Spirited men in the last few
years. is brought sharply into relief
through developments in the CON
gressional probe of the Shipping
Hoard. reiectiag on Charles w.
Scliwab who. during the war. stimuli
~tanecus!y held the difficul, positions
OF director general OF the Emergency
Fleet Corporation, and chairman Of
the board or the bethlehem Steel Cor
poration.
Schwab Will appear before the con-
gress'onai ?robcrs next week for
further questioning regarding allie
cations that personal expenses.
amounting TO many thousands were
charged 10 the cost OF Building gov
ships BY the Bethlehem Com
pany during his ienure of office in
the Fleet Corporation.
To big business men tho Schwab
incident stood as an illustration OF
why their cleircn; shy NJ government
office.
] nee heard President Wilson make
the remark thai any man who seeks
the presidency Is 4 fool" l have
heard many a man IN public life n,
Washington add that any man who
accepts office in the government is 4
chumr." II is a w~eli-known fac; that
all presidents in recent years have
had great difficulty in drafting lead
ing men Of tested business ability TO
serve il the government.
rrcsIdcnt-Elccl Harding already
has run full tilt into this obstacle.
II has been revealed plainly. partic-
,,f. r'. T., lEa 49,. -
FOR Secretary .: ;hc Treasury. where
business ability IS regarded AS n
prime requisite. Charles q. Dawes
has hesi,a,cd Ia run the risk' Of
political office. Il want to gc, gu;
and stay out Of politics forever" he
told one Of his friends some months
ago. \. " Mellon. Of Pittsburgh. rich
rm!neu;iv respected III the business
world. holder OF chairs on many
boards OF directors, /, quctcd 10y
friends who mentioned his possibly
becoming Secretary OF the Treasury.
as saying WHY should ! subject my
SELF 10 being dragged through poli,-
ical miTc? am 7 business man, have
always been associated with big bust
ness, business men arc my friends.
There would always be that charge
against me-
w, q. McAdoo. when asked by his
friends TO reconsider his decision not
10 seek tho Democratic nomination
for President, was quoted as saying:
NO, :hcrc is too sharp = realization
on the part q. Mrs. McAdoo OF the
ravagins effects OF politics. as Is
shown IN the present condition OF the
President"
Now. Schwab. both in his manner
and his words to the congressional.
prohcrs here, further emphasizes the
question.
II Was not remarkable that whca
America was called pom during the
war 10 huild chips. and more and
mere ships. an effort was made 10 get
a mau who could deliver" on the
job. Observers In Washington Wei
recall the appeals that Chairman Ed
ward y. Hurley. or the United Sta;ee
shipping i:oIrd, then President VIII
son, and finally both, made 10 Schwan
10 head the Emergency Fleet C"rpov-
alton, They knew, too, the reason
that Schwab hcsitatcd. IL feared
l< IiSS.b4L.lS AhaA JAtSb NEtA siAN
happened 10 him now would happen
II was with obvious feeling that
Schwah himself related TO the com
mlt,cc today the story 81 the struS-
slc thai; went on III his mind al that
time.
When l was requested ly the
chairman of the Shipping BOARD Z"
assume charge OF the Emergency
Elect Corporation. objected most
s,ronuously on the ground that. by
reason OF my large sh!pGut!dins
interests. / felt that, in the future.
some irresponsible or sensational pcr-
son might eHd.aNor 10 find fault with
my position as director genera! and
director OF large s~hipbu!ld M inter
cS.s Tor In. government and conmcc
the twc mattcrG III q manner h a
could net be rSicoatI" to me. went
- the shipping Ioard and I" the
resident Of thc United states and
hyggcd them not 20 call me for th!S
GNscc on this ! told them |
was exceedingly anxious L. rcn!"'
any possible service to the United
S'utcs tha was in my power. hui,
mat i already was loaded Town wIti.
.rrat responsibilities ny reason ~
luy o~n firms important position IL
connection with tho government ana
especially with the allics. SAID,
Gentlemen. win you please take !.
day OF t"o to think asou this"
.! then said. \ want 10 write this
dow in a letter. 50 that there may
Ir 40 Observation-Disclosures on thu, sub