New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-05
Daniels Ready to Exercise
Emergency Power
if Necessary
Capital and Labor
At His Command
Speeding Up Construction
of Warships to Begin
at Once
.rom The Tribune Burcaul

.or;ous debate of the Stupendous
bolf.billon dollars naval appropria-
fon bill. Secretary Daniels an
rounced to-day that he would eXer-
,ise Immediately the emergency
power granted him TO commander
rrivate shipyards for warship con-
struction, to take over private muni-
ton plants for government work and
20 spend S115,OOO,OOO for speed
ing up
This means that the military es-
Enlistment of the United States
the navy wing, at least--is, from this
dsy. on a war footing. Capital, labor
and material are to be socialiZed on
scale never before dreamed of in
this country.
Mr. Danicls's statement says:
A serious problem that has con-
irorted the Navy Department during
The last two years has been the inabil-
l,y to secure the prompt construction
Of the ships authorized. The pressure
Upon private yards for merchant craft
and the demand for skilled labor has
been Unprecedented
Speeding Up to Begin at Once
The authorization Of money to speed
% added 10 the power granted to the
lrsident 20 commander private ship
ards and plants manufacturing war
materials, Will De avaIled Of at once. to
the end thar ships now under construc-
ton and TO be constructed must be
built mach more rapidly than they haye
ever been butt IN this country. II is
going 10 call for perfect and har-
monious action by the private ship
building companies. the skilled me-
chanics and the navy. This necessity
70 secure quick construction may re-
qure the delay of merchant craft. In
an emergency like the present the needs
o. tie government are paramount.
Delays viii not be permitted 20
sand il the way Of carrying out the
clear intent Of Congress ! will be
quick 20 recommend taking over any
plants # IL is essential TO do so in
order 10 secure the building Of new
ships in double quick time. We will
undoubtedly secure cooperation IN put
ung an end 20 delays that have i'm
peded the construction Of formerly au
ihorized programmes.
Il expect 20 have consultation early
his week with private shipbuilders
shose plants have the largest capacity
Eith reference 20 contracts for dread
noughts. battle-crUisers, scout cruisers,
Gbmarines and other ships appropriat-
Cd for In the bill. Some Of them have
already indicated that they will be
ready 20 meet the department in any
way 20 expedite the building pro-
grsmme. 10 d. believed that all Of
hem will do so.
Large Grant for Aviation
'The bin carries an appropriation Of
over S5.000,O00 for aviation in addition
. whatever expenditures may be au-
ihouzed for this purpose from the
emergency fund OF l15.0OO0O0, and 10
gyes very large powers necessary 70
ne manufacture and development OF
aircraft ia the United States. It en-
braces authority 20 spend Sl,000,000 70
purchase patents on aircraft. The eX-
pencture or this money NAV or may
hot be necessary, but it is the deter
uinatior of The department 20 open the
Eay 20 that manufacturers Of aircraft
nay feel free 10 engage in their manu-
lscture on a larger scale than has yet
been undertaken IN this country
With the passage Of this bill, naval
s1perts are convinced that everything
Fhieh legislation can accomplish has
been done. The ships authorized al
ne two sessions Of the Gath Congress
wi tax the capacity Of the country's
iaipbuilc.ng facilities. All that re-
rams 90 be- done is proper and
tnc.cnt admin tratiOn Of the tremen-
9ous powers that have been conccn-
@eied in Secretary Daniels.
Following are some Of the salient
points Or the naval bill:
Total specific appropriations S5l1-
,'sftl.0s 500 900 900 more than last
year and every dollar Immediately
available
Shipbuilding Programme
Provides Tor beginning work on the
ps Of The second year Of the three
ttar building programme and cOntinu-
in9te authorized last year, as fol-
,s.. f., ,les ra' ,..' ser
ar.fr .