Evening star., 1921-05-01
ADMIRAL BENSON HAS AROUSED
PEOPLES INTEREST IN OUR SHIPS

To my query as to whether II VIII
he possible in the future to reduce
the cost of operating American ves-
sells. so that they will be able to COM
pete with English ships. he replied
enthusiastically in the Affirmative.
Probably the greatest criticism that
has been directed against Admiral
Benson is the claim that he has had
no business experience. Those who
have made a study OF his life. how
ever. smile when they hear this
charge. If business success comes
from having a trained mind. he un-
Guestionably qualified on that score.
they point out.
His mind, thoroughly educated in
matters OF naval concern. has been
working for nearly half century on
problems OF the sea. He has tackled
every side OF the ship construction
problem and brought about saving
in ship operation and repairs. as well
as sl2 100000 saving in salary cuts.
which has been discouraginC to those
who would make a case against him
on the ground of business inefficiency.
The hrst charge made against -ad
miral Benson came by way of inter
ests representative OF the port OF New
York. Early in the spring OF 1920. a
few weeks after he became chairman
or the shipping Board. ne gave puh-
lie utterances before a group OF rep
rssentative publishers to the big CEN
u.. thought Of his, administration
which was that services should be
established by the shipping Board
with the view of relieving congestion
of railroads He pointed out at that
time that the monopoly OF shipping
heretofore held by the port OF New
York would be broken IL he had his
way and he promised to exert every
effort i'm that direction. Naturally,
representatives OF the port of New
York were up in arms and immediate
~ the cry was raised, Benson is no
business man"
But Admiral Benson did not finch
under the criticism and he began his
tight to spread out shipping by reach
ing every commercial interest
throughout the country that would
be interested in port development so
as to get their cooperate effort in
expanding the commerce OF America.
Various EXAMINATIONS fostering port
development sprang into existence
and there was an early noticeable in
grease of shipments out of gulf,
southern and Pacific ports as a di-
rect result OF the admirars campaign
Admiral Benson has stood fearless
~ and squarely upon the policy that
the American merchant marine act.
approved last June. has for its main
purpose the giving of national ad
10 SnlpS In Amef1-
can trade with foreign countries. He
frequently has declared that il pure
ly is an American weapon intended to
meet and offset the countless dis
ordinations practiced by other ma
tions against American shipping.
In taking this position Admiral
Benson has antagonized some groups
of American capitalists strongly in
terested in the development of inter-
national trade by means of shipping
under foreign flags.
From this quarter also has come the
cry that he is no business man.
/ Friends of Admiral Benson. and they
are legion. in controverting the at
! tacks made upon his business ability.
! refer to tho fact that he did not lose
his head during the trying period OF
esta ablishing the Shipping Board upon
| a sound basis. when attack was being
/ directed upon ii from all sides. That
| he did not lose his nerve or his judg-
! ment is the best evidence OF his SOUND
, horse sense. they assert.
| Admiral BenGon's contribution fe
/ American enterprise and developne nj.
say his friends, will be fully appre-
| ciated only when the country is able
to take an unbiased restrospect o.
the early days of the Shipping Board
and to realize that during the Benson
regime the board not only was a
target for national criticism and for
eign intrigue. but also was bootad
about like foot ball during congress
sional Investigations and political
charges.
/ tCop,r ght inal. by The Washington Star.b