New-York tribune., 1921-03-01
Harding Urged
IokeepBenson
On Ship Board
Retention of Donald Also
Is Recommended by Ship
ping Interests and Sew
cral Republican Chiefs
Others Retire March 4
Admiral and One Other
Hold-Ovcr Will Make Up
Body Until Appointments

From The rrburcs washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. Retention
OF Admiral William S. Benson and ohm
A. Donald as members Of the Shipping
Board until President elect Harding
has had an opportunity to investigate
thoroughly thc qualifications of all
candidates for this insnee'~a govern
nieat agency has been slsau, " urged
upe- ~ harding hy shjrnisse l..tcrests
SD i,ei'',u.lean aGv3scrs, 81 ssecamc
5l1own - dag.
Az. Aarding was represented as ia
vorablc to the suggestion that great
care should be exercised in the sclcc-
ton OF the members of the board who
are to handle the American merchant
marine. and he is understood to desire
that Admiral Benson, who is chairman
of the board, aAd Mr.. Donald continue
IN their present capacities and not re
tire with the other members of the
board. who automatically cease as COM
missioners March q, through the fail-
ure of the Senate to confirm their
1t was disclosed today that under
the shipping act Admiral Benson and
Mr.. Donald 90 not retire March 4, but
instead they hold over and constitute
the Shipping Board until the complete
board has been selected, confirmed by
the Senate and the members have
qualified.
While it is considered by some au-
thorities that Benson and Donald arc
entitled to hold on after March 4. there
is as matter of fact no final official
ruling to this effect. Benson and
Donald were confirmed in the prcccd-
ing session of Congress. Later the
board was enlarged. The new act seems
to contemplate that Benson and Donald
should hold on. but it is close oucs-
tion whether they can hold for the
terms for which they were originally
confirmed. and there is little doubt the
new Administration could force them
out II 1t insisted on doing it,
Bcnson's Term Runs a Year
The Shipping Board, as constituted.
consists of Admiral Benson, of Georgia,
whose term OF Office continues for more
than year, and five commissioners.
J ohm A. Donald, of New York: Guv d
Con- and Charles Suttor, Of the middle
Western territory; j. T. Teal of Ore
gon, and F. I. Thompson. of Alabama.
In support of their contention that
the need for hasty action in the selec-
ton Of shipping board does not exist
sponsors for the plan to retain Benson
and Donald point out that both officials
are skilled shipping experts. Admiral
Benson's S career has been one of the sea
for many years, while Mr.. Donald is
pointed to as practical steamship
man Of twenty-five years experienced.
Both officials are represented as thor
oughly conversant with the Jones ship
ping act and the merchant marine act
and have directed their energies toward
restoring the board TO orderly and cf-
tectivc operation after the chaotic con-
ditions created by the war.
Walsh Committee TO Report
The Walsh committee of the House.
winch conducted an exhaustive invcsti-
CATION Of the Shipping Board, IS about
ready to file its complete report it was
indicated to-day. The findings of this
c committee, it was said, would include
some very positive suggestions for bet
terment in the conduct of the Shipping
board. The findings of the Walsh com
pletely eXoneratc Admiral Benson and
1T may contain recommendation for
his retention as Il member of the new
board. The finding of the Walsh com
mittcd, it is said to-day. are certain
10 be studied closely by President elect
Harding in selecting the new board
that he may avoid a recurrence of the
loose administration which featured the
board during the war.