The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-01-22

capacity as an officer of the Bethlehem
Corporation none OF your personal ex-
penses were charged against ship con-
struction for ships which were being
built for the United States"
Absolutely and unaualifiedly. no."
.'ff the certified public accountant who
Is making the audit, actually finds
voucher reading personal expenses Of
yourself and actually finds Il charged
TO ship construction in such case
would that have been done with your
knowledge"
Careful 10 Avoid Cnlumny.
NO 1t would not Whatever my per-
rorel relations with the Bethlehem Steel
Cokporaton may have been, personally
could not tell you the details ] person.
ais. do not remember. but you may be
sur, OF the fact that the one thing. above
everything else, that l was particularly
careful about was that ineinuation
should never be made honestly and
truthfully, nor any money ever be rein-
bursed to me by the United States Gov
eminent for any services rendered
them during my connection with them"
Chairman Walsh explained 20 Mr.
Schwab that the committee would de-
SIRE later. possibly next Wednc gday. 10
cSa,pino ltn, mor- fully concerning other
phase OF the inquiry and Mr.. Schvab
ltrlscd amiciniy: ANY time YOU may
dc.ifc Nv Chairman MI Sehwab
ihen continued:
when I was requested by The presl-
dert OF the Shipping Board to go to
Washington 10 assume charge or tho
Emergency Fleet Corporation ! objected
sifriuously on the ground that By rea-
son OF my large shipping building inter
csts some irresponsible or sensational
person. by reason Of my position as d.
rcetor-General and director OF large
shipbuIlding interests for the Govern
mcnt might endeavor TO connect the
two matters In a manner that would not
he agreeable to me. The business be-
tween the two might be criticised !
went to the Shipping Board and the
President of the United States and
begged them that they do not call me
for this office on this account.
II was exceedingly anxious to rende,
any possible service TO the United
states that was within my power. but
WAS already loaded down with grca
responsibilities by reason of my owr
FIRMS important position in the wat
and in connection with the Government
and especially with our allies. ! said
Gentlemen. will you please take day
or two to think about this
81 then said: \ want to write Il
down in letter so that there may BE-
no misunderstanding on the subject. and
] want to hand IL to you in writing.
which / did. I sent down two or three
letters and they said to mo that not
withdrawing my objections they felt
that II was my duty TO assume these
responsibilities. and ! said. Very well
gentlemen. IL under the conditions you
insist I will
Kept Ont of Bethlehem Deals.
when 7 assumed the duty sent for
The officers Of the Emergency Flee
Corporation and Of the Shipping Board
and said TO them that IL there were an.
business transactions OF any sort be
tween the Bethlehem steel Company
and the shipping Board wanted u
have no part IN them shat they would
have TO he conducted by MIR. Piez. who
conducted that part Of our business and
left to the Shipping Board for theii
approval and in no meeting did take
any part.
~ was very careful in my expenditures
and not single penny of money ever
expended by me while in this service
for trips around the shpyards. or N
any single matter was ever reimbursed
10 me by the United States Govern
rnent. took every possible step could
with my associates. and no man can
honestly say--I don't believe any man
ever will say--that they ever saw any
action upon my part which was ever
made in any manner for my own benefits
or interests
Now. I conducted vast things of =
similar character for our allied gov.
eminent IN France and abroad. have
never had anything but the highest
communication from any government
With which 7 had anything to do
gave my very life to this cause and
IT, work, and 1t Is source Of regret
20 deep as to be indispensable tina
after this support and after this ser.
yico nny form OF criticism should erse
feel ~ so deeply that I can hardly
express myself to YOU about IT, have
stated the Views I wanted TO state and
the denial OF this awful nsinuation. and
wanted TO come before you at the
earliest possible moment
Now ] am ready at any time in tho
future that you want me to come here
and give you the fullest Information
with reference 10 any detail with which
! may have personal knowledge"
Absdie SHIFTS BIamc.
After Mr. schwab had retired IN,
chairman gave Col Abadie the oppor
tunity 10 make any comment he Nigh
wish bearing upon Mr.. schwabs state
mcnt. The Colonel replied:
"ff all he has said is true. | owe hin
the deepest Of apologies In my opin
ION there is nothing ] can say that wouic
make proper correction OF statement
made TO me by men who were employed
with the full understanding OF the dan.
ger OF their position In giving out In.
correct information, or In conveying &C
me ne the ofi'ciai head Of the accounting