New-York tribune., 1921-07-20
Lasker Reverses
Ship Board Policy
To Get Efficiency
Hopes to Turn In Receipts
for Sale of Assets, i'm
Place of Paying Losses
Out of Capital Funds
From The Tribane's Washinot Bureau

WASHINGTON, July 1s.-The Ship
ping Board, having reported the con
dition, of its affairs to the public, in
tends to say nothing more about them
and thenceforth will devote it's en-
ergies to constructive work, Chairman
| A. Lasker said to-day.
He also declared that the board has
not discovered any indication of graft
or dishonesty in connection with the
expenditure of $307,Oo0,0O0 in the last
fiscal year, for which no detailed ac-
counting had been made. If signs of
dishonesty develop, however, the mat
ter will be turned over to the Depart
ment of Justice for action.
Chairman Lasker had another con-
ference yesterday with President Har-
ding, and it was indicated at the White
House that complete reversal of
policy will be worked out by the Ship
ping Board. The old board paid losses
out of capital. The new board will be
expected to turn into the government
Treasury receipts from the sale of
assets.
The White House expects to see
established system of accounting that
Will show losses and other details of
the business not now available. A
high official said that the Administra-
..OAA AieSAuo W pay ldlT WIN une pub
nc, meaning that if the losses are
large they will be announced without
any attempt to color or obscure them
so the American public may know ex-
actly what it costs to operate a mer-
chant marine. If the cost is found to
be too great, Congress then can act
accordingly.
The main purpose of Chairman
Lasker IN making known all the fnan-
clal details that he has been able to
get, 1t was said at the White House,
was to let the public know what the
Shlpplng Board situation is, because
the Administration "does not intend to
inherit it without acquainting Con-
gress and the people with the facts.
nor DO we intend to operate it without
giving people the facts.
Walter D. Meals. of Cleveland.
judge of the Appellate Court there, has
been appointed chairman of the claims
commission, which is to undertake
settlement Of the $500, 900 of claims
still pending against the board. The
members of the Shipping Board hope
that the claims can be settled for so
cents on the dollar, but even so, $780,
Voo,ooo Will be required. Chairman
Lasker TOMORROW expects to announce
the tour other members of the com
mission.
The chairman tomorrow will have
luncheon with Senator Warren Of
wyoming, chairman of the Senate Ap-
preparations Committee, and he will
see House finance leaders to discuss
appropriation requirements. He also
mas talked about the same matter with
Charles G. Dawes, Director. of the
Budget. The board hopes to be able
to get along for the first half of the
present fiscal year with S1OO 600 600
Mr. Lasker said, but this estimate NAV
fall to pieces il business conditions do
not develop 8 expected. By the end
OF the first half of the year the board
believes it can have in WORKING effect
some stringent economy measures. a
new and thorough accounting system
and scheme for the operation Of
boats that will place 81 premium nnon
careful operation rather than on in
efficiency. ~ Az
The three new directors of the d;-
VISION OF operations are expected to
begin their duties in Washington TO. ~
morrow w. J. Love and ]. b Smull
the New York representatives. have
had conferences during the last week
with steamship owners and operators
ana nave. outlined their plans to 60
operate to the fullest extent with
private owners. A. J. Frey, the Pacific
Coast representative, is meetinc
owners IN New York this week.