Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-22
G|LLEN'S REPORT ON
j. s. SHIPPING BOARD
DENOUNCED BY P|Ez
Declares Farmers Statements
Don't Square With Facts in
Single Vital Instance.
SHIPS FOR WAR, NOT MARINE
by Associated Press to Every Evening.

By Associated I'ress 90 Every Evening.
Washington, Jan. 22.--Charles Piez.
of Chicago, former director general OF
the Emergency Fleet Corporation, ap-
penred today before the House com
ffiittee investigating Shipping Board
operations TO deny charges agninst the
operation Of the corporate which
were made by Martin ]. Gillen. form
eriy assistant 20 the chairman Of the
board Ia "a special report submitted To
the committee some weeks ago
Mr.. Piez had prepared a I'VE thous-
and word statement In which he took
up the charges in detail. but II was not
read. Chairman Walsh said the wit
ness could read 10 II he desired. but
that all members of the committee al
ready had examined the copies furnish
ed them and that time would be saved
by merely admitting IL TO the record.
This was done.
Chairman Walsh questioned the wit
ness and I'm the course of the exan1ina-
tion MIR. Piez declared that To his
knowledge Charles NJ. Schwab had
never received n cent from the govern
ment In salary or for personal cxpen-
yes while director general Of the feet
corporation.
Commenting on the charge made 10
the committee at New York by Colonel
r.. n. Abade, former comptroller gen
eral of the Shipping Board. that
poucher for s260.000 had been present
cd for Mr.. Echwabs personal expenses.
Mr.. piez declared 1T ls unfortunate
that any suggestion of improper action
on Mr., schwsbs part has been made
at this hearing
Mr.. piez told the committee how Mr.
Sohwab had reluctantly taken over di-
rection of the Fleet Corporation after
he had been urged TO do 50 by Chair
man Hurley Of the Shipping Board
cambridge Colby, and the witness and
finally by President Wilson
This was in the spring Of 1918 when
the Germans were making their final
great drive. he said. and when the
general staff was calling on the board
to transport $50. 000 troops a month 10
France.
That meant increased tonnage. :"
Piez continued. and We saw the need
Of boIstering up tho construction end Of
the Shipping Board We needed a man
Of Mr. schwabs experience. ability and
enthusiasm. Mr. Schwab explained
that firms in which he was interested
had contracts amounting to $500. .0c6. Z
600 with the government. lie was posi-
tive he would be subjected to unfair
criticism but finally agreed II the situa-
tion were outlined TO President Wilson
and the President insisted. he would
take charge Of the Emergency Fleet
Corporation.
sf know perhaps better than any
one elise tfs service axr. Eeh~ab renf-
cred TO the government He never
charged his expenses TO the govern
ment. either directly or indirectly. RE
was too high spirited man for that. .
Mr.. Piez recalled a trip made 70 the
Pacific Coast 20 inspect the Fleet Cor
poration work there.
MIR. Schwab paid all hts expenses.
as well as those of his private party.
the witness said. and I paid mine"
Mr.. Piez said he received SIS 900 a
year when he joined the Emergency
Fleet Corporations forces at 1900 4
year and that he always paid "all Of
my own expenses"
Washington. Jan. 22.-Claims that
the report of Martin J. GilIen 10 the
committee was wholly wrong in all
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