Evening star., 1921-03-03
BENSON TO AWAIT
NEW SHIP BOARD
Admiral Will Remain in
Charge Until Appoint
mentS Are Made.

Rear Admiral William S. Benson
chairman Of the United States Ship
ping Board, will remain as head OF
the board until the new commission
ers to be appointed by Presiden mt
Harding are ready to assume their
duties.
Chairman Benson has discussed the
matter. it is said, and his position is
that the two members Che and John
A. Donald). who have been confirmed
by the Senate. should remain after
tomorrow to safeguard the interests
OF the government and of the Ship
ping Board, without. however. per-
forming any active board functions
The chairman is commissioned
oHcer OF the government he said,
and he will continue to safeguard
the interests Of the government until
properly relieved"
Talk of Aboli.hins Board.
Discussion was prevalent in ship
ping circles as to the disposition OF
the entire Shipping Board matter
under the incoming republican ad-
abolishing the Shipping Board as at
present constituted and placing all
the business of the board under an
administrative head TO occupy a po-
sition analogous to that Of cabinet
officer.
Four of the six present members Of
the board, all recess appointments OF
President Wilson, are held by Con-
troller Tweedale not to have quali-
fed for the office as commissioners
and have not received any pay for
their services since their appoint
ment last November. They are Guy
D: Goff. republican. of wisconsin
souri,; J. n. Zeal, democrat. of Ore
Gon, and Frederick I. Thompson.
democrat. of Alabama. Chairman n
Benson and Commissioner Donald are
the only two board members who are
held to be qualified, although their
appointments have not been con-
firmed by the present Senate. The
other commissioner. Chester H. Row
ell of California, resigned two months
ago.
shipping Act Provisions.
Under the terms of the shipping
act Of, 1920 Chairman. Benson and
Commissioner Donald must remain in
office until new appointees Of the re-
publican President have qualified for
the Offices. The section covering this
point reads as follows: "The COM
missioners In office at the time this sec
ton as amended takes effect shall hold
office until all the commissi oners pro-
vided for in this section as amended
are appointed and qualify"
The makeup Of the new Shipping
Board to be appointed by President
Harding. as outlined today by those in
close touch with shipping board af.
fairs. was tentatively as follows. Fred
erick l. Thompson of Alabama. reap
pointed : Charles Sutter Of Missouri, re.
appointed; -R. A. Bean Of New York
former general counsel of the board, r
A. c. Smith Of New York. former dock
commissioner Of the port Of New
York and; a practical shipping man
Senator Chamberlain Of Oregon, and H
G. Forbes, former governor general oil
Hawaii.
Suggestions. for Chairmanship.
1t was understood today that seyera
names have been suggested for the
chairmanship OF the board, among them
being =. A s., Franklin, head Of the
International Mercantile Marine; J. H
Rossiter, former director general Of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation, and Mat.
th"w Brush. vice president OF the
American international Shipbuiidine
Corporation ~;
"A prominent republican leader, how.
lever. is understoed to have written the
HResident elect recommending strongly
that Chairman > Benson and Commits.
sioner Donald remain in office. and that
Chairman Benson be reappointed as
chairman Of the board. The letter is
Understood to have asked that this be
one of tho first matters to be consid-
cred at the first meeting OF the repub-
1ican cabinet with President-elect Hard.
ing.