"WANTS ONE PERSON IN CHARGE NOT A BOARD"

PRESIDENT 'IRKED' AT ACTION BY SHIPPING BOARD

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 3, 1925, The Evening Star reports that President Calvin Coolidge "has let it be known that he thinks the Shipping Board acted unwisely in relieving Admiral Leigh C. Palmer, president of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, of his powers in administering the affairs of the merchant marine and the sale of ships."

Mr. Coolidge is of the belief that the fleet's operation should be in the hands of a single person rather than a multi-person board.  The Star says that the President has discussed the matter with members of Congress and aides who agree with his position.

SOURCE

"Ship Board Move Irks President," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 3, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Flag of the United States Merchant Marine

by Ldavid1985

CC SA 4.0

"POTUS WANTS U.S. FLAG FIRMLY ESTABLISHED"

HARDING TO REQUEST $400 MILLION FOR U.S. FLEET

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 8, 1921, The New York Tribune published a front page story reporting that "President (Warren G.) Harding will make a forceful plea for the American merchant marine" in his upcoming message to Congress.

In light of the daily loss of "more than a million dollars a day," the President was fearful that the Congress "would not be willing to make the necessary appropriation."

The estimate is that Mr. Harding will request at least $400 million and as much as $500 million.

Carter Field writes that the President wants the flag of the United States "firmly established on the seas" in the "next few years."

SOURCE

"Harding To Ask 400 Million For U.S. Fleet," by Carter Field, The New York Tribune, April 8, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

USS Peary (DD-226)

US Navy Photo (1922)