Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-03

aggerated and that 1t was time the
country awoke to the facts. Reports
to the state department give total Of
so vessels lost in one week. figures
cent British announcements.
The British mission announced that
the rate Of destruction In recent weeks
had continued unchanged and that it
showed no alarming increases. All it's
members agreed the situation is criti-
cal. however. and the combined ship
building facilities of the world can
meet the peril only If their output is
increased tremendously.
Announcing the governments pro-
gram for exercising more direct con-
troll over the country's shipping and
ship building facilities, Chairman Dem
man of the shipping board said esti-
mates had reached the board of 900
tons OF shipping sunk in one week.
Present Tonnage 100000
The present worlds ship tonnage is es-
timated at less than $4,000, 600 tons. In
1916 the entire loss in tonnage due to war
causes was put at little more than O.
WO,0cO TONS or some 162, 600 tons a month.
At present the Germans are sinking CON
siderably more than that each week A
bureau of navigation report estimated tho
worlds ship construction in 1916 at slight
ly less than 100000 tons. II the Germans
keep up their present rate of destruction
officials admit without hesitation that
their campaign threatens to sweep clean
the seas.
1.-The seriousness OF The situation is ap-
parent" said Chairman Denman today
when we consider the present produc-
tivity of world shpyards and heir high
est output likely within the next four
months, the entire production will nat ex-
coed one-ffth of the monthly loss at no
rate given by Secretary Lane. The ship
ping boards figures do not reach that
high total, but they are sufficiently large
to make the situation extremely grave.
The administrations ship control pro-
gram will go to Congress this week in
bills giving the President direct power.
if needed to take over the country's ships
and shipyards.
The measures also would put into
the Presidents hands the power to
control facilities that compete with
shipbuilding. Their purpose is to give
the executive authority to insure an
abundance of materials for shipbuild-
ing.
The bills would give power which
the Administered ton believes would not
have to be exercised officials holding
that the mere existence of the power
would be sufficient. The shin boards
aim is to speed up the country's steel
shipyards on construction Of standard
lied smplifed steel cargo ships in adj
dition to its campaign for building
vast feet Of wooden SHIPS.
Within four months tho government,
Mr. Denman said today will have
about 100000 tons Of German ships on
the seas It will be some time in tho
fall before TIE wooden shipbulding
campaign is in full swing.
Experts of the federal departments.
II became known today. are working
night and day on electrical device
with which 1t Is hoped to combat the
submar ine.
Fills were introduced In Congress
today to enlarge the powers Of the
war risk insurance bureau to permit
1t TO insure the lives Of officers and
men on American merchant marine
fleets. Owners Of all vessels will he
required to take out insurance on the
lives Of their employees.