Woodrow Wilson to George W. Goethal

I am writing you a letter because if I were to ask for a personal interview in the midst of the present elaborate misunderstanding which the newspapers have created it would of course be said that I had sent for you for purposes of discipline, and of course I have no such thought in mind. I merely want to put before you very candidly my conclusions with the hope that you will acquiesce in them.

It is clear that the ship-building programme is subject to the authority and approval of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, both with regard to the programme itself and with regard to the terms of the contracts under which that programme is carried out, and I have no doubt that it is also clear to you as it is to me that the right way to get action harmoniously and at once is to put yourself in the hands of the directors of the Corporation entirely with regard to these matters.

On the other hand, it is equally clear that it is desirable and that the directors of the Corporation desire to concentrate executive authority in respect of the carrying out of the contracts and the execution of the programme in the hands of a single agent. It is of my personal knowledge that this is the desire and purpose of the directors of the Corporation. Anything that may have happened that might be given a different interpretation has, I am sure, been due only to a misunderstanding and, I dare say, to your very natural desire to push the programme forward with the utmost possible rapidity.

The terms and the conditions of the contract being agreed upon, the way is cleared and I am hoping and expecting that a complete understanding may immediately be arrived at with regard to these matters.

It was not possible in your judgment to procure wooden ships driven by powerful machinery that would be seaworthy in the trans-Atlantic commerce where high speed is desired in order to secure greater possibilities of immunity from submarine attack; but that we should build wooden ships in considerable numbers for that part of our sea-going trade which will not in all probability be exposed to submarine attack is my very clear judgment, as I believe it is also the judgment of the directors of the Emergency Fleet Corporation. The directors may deem it advisable to carry out the programme for the building of wooden ships in some other way than that which was at first contemplated, as of course they are free to do.

I take the liberty of suggesting that no further resort be had to the public prints, either directly or indirectly. There is nothing insoluble in the present situation unless it is allowed to grow into a public controversy.

Cordially and sincerely yours,
With much respect,
Woodrow Wilson


General George W. Goethals,
Emergency Fleet Corporation,
Washington, DC