Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-19

ed that Lord Northcliffe. British COM
missioner has let it be known that Great
seaworthy, wooden ship that could be
built if doing so would not interfere with
the projects of the United States.
Talks With President.
Chairman Denman had long con-
ference at the White House yesterday
afternoon with President Wilson. After
leaving the White House he said that
the decrease in the sinkings of ships
by German submarines during the last
two weeks in May evidently showed
that Germany had recalled her sub
marines toptheir bases to prepare them
for expected sailings of American troop
ships.
Mr. Denman announced that the
sinkings. however. are now on the in
crease and that these sinkings for the
past week. if figured on yearly basis
would show a total of 100000 tons
loss annually.
The submarine situation, Mr.. Den
man said. is much more serious than
the public realizes. and the figures
given show that the United States must
build every ship of every possible kind
as rapidly as possible.
Gen. Goethals yesterday asked for an
appointment with the President. which
was set for Friday. With reference to
the fact that Mr.. Denman yesterday
signed contracts for ten vessels of steel
at a price of s56 per ton after he had
at first refused to sign them when they
came to him from Gen. Goethals at
price Of $95 per ton for the steel, Mr..
Denman explained that a base price of
s95 per ton was agreed upon between
Gen. Goethals and the +steel plants
some time ago which was to stand un-
til a final price was agreed upon.
Mr.. Denman said that he had not
cared to sign more contracts at that
a precedent that would embarrass the
shipping board when final price came
to be agreed upon.
Power to Force Lower Price.
Since the government now has the
lower price. should not go on approv-
that the price of s56 per ton will stand
until a final figure is set by the Presi-
dent or by some agency which the
President may designate. steel men
around s45. although they have a ready
commercial market for their product at
from S95 to $125 per ton.
Ten steel ships under construction by
or contracted for with the Baltimore
Drydocks and Shipbuilding Company
have been Communicated by the gov
ernment- These are the first vessels to
be taken over under the recent an
VI me tHdl all
steel vessels building in American
yards will be Communicated.
President Holden A. Evans was notified
yesterday by Maj. Gen. George w.
Goethais. general manager of the Fed
eral Emergency Fleet Corporation, that
the contracts would be assumed by that
organization.
Four of these vessels are under con-
struction. Two are now in the water and
will be finished in two weeks. Two others
will be completed shortly. Work on the
other six will be rushed to the limit.
Plans are under way greatly to in
crease the facilities OF the plant. A
large floating drydock is to be estab-
lished. 1t will employ 1000 or 1900 men.
SAN FRANCISCO. June 19-The Unit
ed States shipping board has let contracts
to the Moore & Scott iron works of
Oakland for immediate construction of
sixteen steel steamers of 9,40O tons each,
according to a telegram received by the
company from Washington and made
public today. The company estimates
that s25,oO0.O00 to s3o.o0O.OOO is involved
in the contracts.