Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-10-12

Prediction CONCERNING Germany.
DIR. Ernest Won Halle. who is con-
nected with the University of Berlin
and who has just completed tour OF
all the large shipyards on the Atlantic
coast and the great lakes In company
with Naval Constructor Schwarz OF
the German navy. spoke recently In a
most enthusiastic strain of the great
progress In shipbuilding made by the
Americans In the last ten years, says
the New York Post. While DR.. Won
Halle is pretty well acquainted with
the United States. having spent consid-
cradle time here In the investigation
of social and economic conditions. his
recent trip, he says. has opened bis eyes
more than ever to the possibilities In
the way of American shipping and
commercial expansion generally.
Speaking particularly of our ship
yards. he predicted that the day was
not far distant when Germany would
have to come to the United States for
some of her merchant ships. as her
own yards, though the best In the
world in many respects. will not be
able to turn out enough vessels to
meet the home demand, which has
been stimulated greatly by Its free
ship policy. Though labor as rule
costs more here, he regards the highest
wages as cheapest In the end, In that
they give an impetus to the invention
Of labor saving machinery, which has
contributed so much to the lowering
Of the cost of American ships. OF the
about ten that could build warships,
with more companies making prepara-
lions to equip plants for this work.
a fact which be regarded as rather
puzzling. taken In connection with the
peace policy that has SO long ruled
In the United States.
DR.. Won Halle was much impressed
by the rapidly with which American
yards were constructed. In England
and Germany the great plants were
evolutions from very small beginnings.
but In the United States. he said. they
sprang up almost in night. 1t is not
a process of evolution here. but one Of
complete creation, contracts being made
for the largest sized vessels while yet
the plants are under construction. The
most notable instance of this he found
at New London. Conn, where new
company is building two 10000 ton
steamships, the largest ever produced
in the United States. at yard which
had no existence year or so ago. the
present monsters constituting its first
contract. Such a thing would not be
dreamed of abroad. The plant of the
New York Shipbuilding company at
Camden. near Philadelphia. is also a
maiden yard. the creation within the
last six months of a company with mil
lions of capital back of it. The con-
struction of this plant. too, Is going
along at the same time great ships are
In process of building.
Comparing American, German and
British yards of the first class. the first
named he found to be the most numer-
better equipped, while the British had
made greater advancement in the heavy
machinery used in connection with ship
building. Cranes and hoists have reach
ed a high state of perfection In the
United States, DR.. Won Halle thinks.
and there has also been a marked de-
velopment in pneumatic machinery. but
Germany is now making rapid strides
in this latter direction. while In cleo
trical science as applied TO the construc-
ton as well as the operation of ships
the Germans are still far ahead. In
England he saw only three thoroughly
modern yards. the others being more
or less old fashioned. while the United
States and his own country could each
boast of SIX modern plants. Altogether
DR. Won Halle looked upon shipbuilding
as one OF the most promising OF this
nations industries