Arizona republican., 1917-12-23
FABRICATED SHIP CONSTRUCT|ONHELD
 UP TWO MONTHS
[Republlcan A. p. Leased WlreJ


 WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Testimo- ny today of shipping board officials in the senate's investigation of de- lays to the ship building program dis closed that the start on construction of fabricated steel ships was delayed two months by the refusal of Rear Admiral Capps, formerly general man. lger of the Emergency Fleet corpora ton, to close contracts negotiated by his predecessor, Major General Goeth- als until many alterations in them were made
 The fabrication construction delay and other delays to the program were borught out in questions asked by the senate commerce committee conduct ing the inquiry of Chairman Hurley and John A. Donald, of the shipping board Charles Piez, new general man. ger of the corporation and Rear Ad- miral Bowles, his aide.
 Some of the causes for the general delay in both steel and wooden con- struction were given by the witnesses as changes fin specification differences between Admiral Capps and builders, and slow delivery of material. The accumulation of delays, Hurley admit ted under questioning brought about the recent reorganization of the fleet corporation which ended in Admiral Capps' resignation.
 Tho wooden ship building program was held back largely, MT. Piez tes- tified by the inability of southern fn dpIiNnY< condition of affairs was uncovered by an Investigating committee headed by Mir. Piez which made a tour of the yards for the shipping board.
 Whose fault was that?" MT. Piez was asked.
 q don't know" he replied. T un- dcrstand that the Southern Pine asso- ciation promised to deliver the tim Der and then fell down on the order"
 What are you doing to correct the Situation?"
 . We are having fir brought from the Pacific coast"
 Many contracts already let for wooden ships in the east will have to be transferred to the west, Piez added. in order to get the vessels completed as sufficient timber cannot be had in the east
 Senator Nelson directed a long se- ries of questions at Mir. Piez to learn why a practical ship builder would not be a proper man for general manager.
 Are you a ship builder?" asked the senator.
 "No,' replied Mir. Piez, "but I have had large experience in organization md manufacturing work"
 Don't you think it would be better to have a practical builder at the head of the shipping program"
 T have engineering training and lave a force of experts under me"
 Finally, MT. Piez said somewhat Iharply:
 q want you to understand, senator, did not seek this place. took it very reluctantly
 The change in design of the wooden ships after construction was begun arew some criticism from members of lhe committee. Senator Martin asked Mir. Piez who was responsible. The reply was that the change was made by Civil Engineer Ferris, the corpora tion's designing expert.
 Don't you think that shows in- competency asked the senator.
 T would say" replied Piez, that it was unfortunate.
 'Yes.' the senator said, Unfortunate ignorance"
 The committee taking up the opera tion of ships sought to develop if the army has handled inefficiently the ships turned over to it. Officials of the board explained that they now are Investigating that subject. Rear Ad- niral Bowles presented figures show ing the present progress of ship con- struction. but the committee decided Q keep the statistics confidential.