Evening star., 1921-05-01
BY JOHN l.. MARTIN.

A DMIRAL William S. Benson de-
~ serves the title OF Atlas OF the
~ American merchant marine.
Since June 5. last, when the
Jones act establishing the Shipping
Board on a peace basis went into ef-
feet responsibility for protecting
Uncle Sans $500. 100000 investment
in ships and ship equipment has fall
en- largely upon his shoulders. During
a large part of this time he has been
not only the chairman. but the only
mem Der of the board.
Single handed. practically. he has
watched over the cradle of this in
fant American industry. When the
country did not know that dangers
lurked near. he was alert TO discover
them and sound warning. He ex-
shipping interests which were design
ed to discourage the building up Of a
merchant marine under the Stars and
Stripes.
Admiral Benson has rendered a pa
| triotic service to his country which
t he country is just beginning to ap-
precate. For several months he has
served without pay. He has carved
a niche for himself in the hall Of
fame. which in many respects -
without a parallel.
The special session of Congress
called by President Harding was but
a few days old when Admiral Benson
told me somthins of his hopes for the
future of the Shipping Board He ad-
mitted frankly that the big task
which had confronted him during the
year he had officiated as chairman of
the board was to develop a fighting
morale in the personnel, a determina-
ton to succeed in spite OF all obsta-
cles.
The country is becoming ship
minded" he said The people are
beginning to take n pride in the
prospect OF American goods being
shipped in American bottoms--in the
prospect Of America leading the
world in commerce. The perilous days
Of the Shipping Board are over. There
is much to be accomplished still but
the American merchant marine is
here to stay"
At the time of my conversation with
Admiral Benson. he had received no
intimation from the White House as
to whether or not he would be named
on the new Shipping Board. But ii is
evident that the Benson policies will
make their influence felt. regardless
OF the personnel of the new board
Practical shipping men say that the
commonsense interpretations placed
by the admiral on the provisions Of
the Jones law will not permit of any
far-reaching notifications. The fact
that the President has called Ad-
miral Benson into frequent confer
ences was ground for the belief that
the Benson policies would play a
strong part in the Presidents selec-
tion of men to guide the destinies Of
the Shipping Board during the next
few years.
Admiral Benson is siXtv-fve years
Of age. and has the distinction of hav-
ing served his country forty-snven
years. He stands about six feet tall.
and when you enter his Office shows a
trace of his southern training by his
most gracious manner of greeting.
! Unconsciously he places you at a dis
/ advantage if you are bent on an un-
! once by his utmost frankness and
the direct manner in which he tackles
any subject. no matter how contro-
| versial it may be.
| When | asked Admiral Benson what
| he considered was the most important
accomplishment of his administration.
| he promptly replied that his efforts
! 10 arouse national patriotic interest
, in the development Of a great Ameri-
| can merchant marine must be placed
| at the top of his endeavors. Without
| a proper sentiment back OF IT,. the
| merchant marine would be failure
he pointed out.
! He alluded to his success in reduc.
| ing the overhead expenses Of the Ship.
| ping Board approximately 80 per cent
! and in relieving congestion of rail.
roads through better distribution
/ of shipping.