New-York tribune., 1917-07-14
Announces $75O,OOO,OO
Programme To Be Start
ed on Monday
Will Construct Two
Federal Shipyards
100000 Tons Within IS
Months Now Assured,
He Says
IFrcm T-hs rrrrune Bureau. ]

Washington, July 13.-General Goe-
thals has received full authority to pro-
ceed without interference with the
great emergency shipping programme
for which Congress appropriated $780,
100000. The general manager Of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation will not
be answerable to William Denman,
chairman of the Shipping Board, ."
was strongly intimated by Mr.. Denman
himself yesterday, but will be respon-
sible alone to President Wilson.
That General Goethsls is satisfied
with the instructions in the Presiden-
tial executive order issued yesterday
was evident in the optimism he beamed
to-day. This was further shown by the
direct programme, which he immediate
ly submitted TO Chairman Denman with
the announcement that the work will
begin next Monday.
General Goethals took full charge Of
the shipbuilding programme, and an
nounced sweeping plans for construct
ing the great merchant feet with which
the United States hopes to defeat the
German submarine campaign.
General Goethals's Letter
General Cocktails letter to Chairman
Denmsn follows:
"Now that the President has author
lied the Emergency Fleet Corporation
to exercise the powers granted by Con-
gress TO build and commander ships,
intend on Monday. to start ship con-
struction which will complete my ship
building programme. My full pro-
gramme is as follows:
"1-SHIPS NOW BUILDING
Contracts for 34S wood ships have
been let, or agreed upon, with ton
mage capacity of 1,21S,000 tons, at a
cost, when completed, of approximately
s174.O0O,OOO.
an addition, l have under negotia-
tion contracts for about 100 wood ships.
Contracts for II steel ships have
been let, or agreed upon, with ton
mage of 642,600. at cost of approx
mately S10l ,660,356.
There are thus provided 425 ships
Of all sorts, with an aggregate tonnage
of |, $50, 800, at a cost of approximately
s275.000,000 besides 100 more wood
ships under negotiation. shall con-
tinue 10 let all contracts for wood ships
of design approved by the naval archi-
tect of the corporation, which | can
secure from responsible bidders.
"2-CONSTRUCTION OF STANDARD
lied SHIPS
"My main reliance for getting the
greatest amount of the most service
able tonnage in the shortest time will
be on the construction of fabricated
steel ships Of standard pattern. For
that purpose | shall use, to some ex-
tent, the existing yards.
"On Monday | shall offer contracts
for the building Of two plants Ito be
owned by the government) for the con-
struction of fabricated steel ahips. TO
produce 400 ships of an aggregate ton
mage capacity Of 100000 tons within
the next eighteen TO twenty-four
months.
"For the building of these two yards
and the construction of ships in them,
I shall offer, as compensation TO the
agents who undertake the work, fee
of approximately s per cent Of the total
cor Of the work, with rewards for
savings in cost and for speed in deliv-
cry.
"Provision will be made for decreas-
ing the fee to prevent unnecessary
cost. The contracts will give the gov
ernment the benefit Of government
fixed commodity prices, and will pro-
vide for cessation of work at any timo
Al - a
exceeded. Options will be given TO the
contractors TO purchase the plants at
arbitrated values on the completion
Of tbe work.
"The design of the ship is ready, the
plans Of the yards are ready. the dis
tribution Of the work of furnishing the
material and Of fabrication is arranged.
"This part of the programme Will
take all the s550,000,000 available, not
absorbed by contracts made or making
"a stated at the beginning of this let
ter. The programme will more than
redeem nv estimates TO the Congress
sional committee at the time this ap-
nronriation was asked for of 100000
IONS of new construction within eigh-
teen months.
"Tbe additional contracts for wood
shins which | expect TO place together
with the full number of fabricated
steel ships, which it is planned TO
build. will require more money than
Congress has authorized When know
how much will be needed, 1t will be
necessary 70 ask Congress for further
sums.
-CoMMANDEERING OF SHIPS IN
YARDS
"On Monday | shall deliver 20 ship
bujlders a general statement OF the
nroarsrome which | have long been
maturing for Communicating ships now
under construction for private account
such ships have an aggregate TON
mage considerably in excess oil l'ooo'-
900 tons).
"Tbo efsenee OF this programme is 70
commander all such ships and ehpe-
dito their construction by adding labor
and cutting out rehnements. by thus
FSd,ralizing each yard, giving IT gov,
eminent help and putting u on speeo
bssis We shall produce its greatest
egiciency. Az fast ~ the berthS arc
cleared each yard will be devoted 10
Tho PRODUCTION Of a single type OF ton.
nags for which IL h best suited. !
count upon the complete cooperation
zach days delay in summer In
communicating or contracting means
two DAYS loss Of time In throwing inc
vork INTO the winter months. II rs Tor
,h.t ,.sssn I am urgent that the Pro-