George W. Goethals to Woodrow Wilson

Title

George W. Goethals to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

George W. Goethals

Identifier

WWP21666

Date

1917 July 20

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Text

My dear Mr. President:

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 19th, and wish to express my appreciation of the considerate manner in which you have stated the conclusions which you have reached. In the project for the "Rapid Emergency Construction of Small Ships," dated March 20, 1917, and approved by you on April 4th last, it was stated that"to secure the speed of production, which is all important, we feel that the task of securing and equipping these ships should be put in the hands of one man. Centralized control is essential for rapid and efficient work." It was on this understanding on my part that I undertook the work at your request. This understanding was subsequently confirmed, not only when I took up the matter with the Shipping Board, but at the hearings before the SubCommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the United States Senate, where it was stated that I was to have "absolute and complete authority for the administration on the constructing side; that everything the Board could do would be done, and that it would act on my suggestion and initiative." These assurances were placed much more clearly before the members of the SubCommittee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

The necessity for shipping makes it imperative that results be secured as rapidly as possible. It is results, by whomsoever obtained, which count after all, and nothing should be allowed to interfere with the accomplishment of this end. I have endeavored to establish harmonious relations with the Shipping Board, but regret to state I have not succeeded, and it seems impossible to secure the unison of purpose essential to the success of the work. Believing that a centralization of authority in one man is necessary to carry out the shipbuilding program rapidly and successfully, after mature consideration of the whole subject, I am satisfied that I cannot secure efficient results under the conditions of your letter. I am convinced, therefore, that the best interests of the public welfare would be served if I were replaced by some one on whom full authority can be centered and whose personality will not be a stumbling block. It is my urgent hope that this solution will commend itself to you, and, in order that the work may be delayed as little as possible by a change, if you deem it wise, I shall be glad to continue in charge until my successor can be selected and remain with him until he has a thorough knowledge of the organization that has been built up and is able to familiarize himself with the work that has already been undertaken. You may be assured of my loyal acquiescence in the directions given in your letter and all future orders.

Very Respectfully,
George Goethals

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/WWI0487.pdf

Collection

Citation

George W. Goethals, “George W. Goethals to Woodrow Wilson,” 1917 July 20, WWP21666, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.