The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-09
SHIPBUILDING
TO BEDOUBLED
New Plan Calls for 100000
to 100000 Tonnage in
10 Months.

WASHINGTON, July s.-An increase Of
100 per cent in the magnitude of the
shipbuilding programme originally re-
garded as the limit of the capacity of
American shipyards and a proposal by
the United States Shipping Board to ask
another 100000, 900 or $500, 900. 900
from Congress for construction work
were announced tonight by Chairman
Denman.
Instead OF building 100000 or 5000
900 tons OF steel and wooden shipping
in the next eighteen months 1t is now
the confident expectation of the Ship
ping Board that the tonnage will run
from 5000. 900 to 5000, 900.
The board has been authorized to con-
tract for tonnage to the limit of $780,
100000. Chairman Denman said to-
night that contracts for this amount now
had been made or were in early pros
pect, making necessary the additional
half billion appropriation II the pro-
gramme is to be carried to its maximum
possibilities.
1t is believed President Wilson proba-
bly, within the present week will issue
an executive order giving to Major-Gen.
Goethals all managerial powers neces-
sary to the execution Of the vast pro-
gramme, both as to wooden and steel
ships. 1t is reported Gen. Goethals has
been won over to the wooden ship idea,
which he so bitterly opposed earlier in
tho history OF the shipbuilding cam
paign. He is understood to have indicated
to several persons his willingness. to
build wooden ships to the limit OF the
! country's capacity, an attitude consider
| ably at variance with that which he held
| at the time he made his famous stee
| dinner speech in New York.
An explanation advanced in some
quarters for the return to favor of the
wooden ships is that the steel men are
not nearly so enthusiastic in their CO.
operation with the Government since II
became apparent they are not to get the
SS5 ton originally agreed on between
them and Gen. Goethals. but are IT.
stead to receive $56 as a minimum, with
a possible advance 10 $65 or $6S, which
approximates the price the navy is pay.
| ing a ton.
Chairman Denman said tonight:
"All the Shipping Board feared ir
February as to the effectiveness OF the
submarines has been realized. The pres
| ent appropriation of $500.000,000 will
not replace in eighteen months more
than four-fifths of the German destruc.
/ tion since February /. 1t is to Americs
that the forces fighting Germany mus
look for the bulk of the replacement Of
| the submarines destruction.
"Since our original project was framed
the United States has entered into thu
war and our army in France will re
! quire an enormous fleet to transpor
| men supplies and munitions Subma
rines may reasonably be expected L
appear along our coasts and compel III
| to curtail our naval assistance in Euro
pean waters.
"The members OF the board have un
| der discussion the Investment Of another
$500, ,O0O, 900 or $500.000,000 in vessels
Such a proposal requires the approva
of the President before presenting 1t t
Congress. II Secretary McAdoo cal
suggest a reasonable place for II In oul
general scheme of financing for the wa
and the President approves, Congress
may be asked for a further appropria
tion OF this amount"