New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-29
Northclife's Pessimism
Over Prospects for 6,OOO,-
600 Tons Unwarranted
Chairman Arousing
Capital and Labor
Calls Conferences OF All
Elements Interested to
Shape Speed-Up Plans
fStar Correspondence

clifFe's statement at Chicago that NJ
saw no signs of the merchant feet OF
100000 tons that America has been
called upon to produce IN 1918 was, to
saw the least, an exaggeration. There
are many signs Of this fleet, and despite
all the difficulties of the situation
amazing things are being accomplished
American capital management and
labor are warming up for the accom-
plishment of one Of the greatest, II not
the greatest. physical tasks in history.
A recent sign of the Shipping Boards
mobility was the announcement or what
amounts TO a reorganization of the stan
of the Emergency Flee, Corporation.
The reorganization means that Chair
man Hurley has set out 10 get the best
genius and talent Of the nation en-
listed in doing the monumental work
that has been intrusted 10 him. He Is,
10 be sure. one member of board OF
five. and his authority over the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation is not legally
what il should be, but he understands
that because he is chairman the coun-
try holds him responsible. He is grasp
ing the reins Of power. He knows that
when next spring the nation realizes to
what extent it is made impotent by the
lack of shipping he will be unanimously
elected as the sacrificial goat.
Will Be Vigorous Goat
He intends to be a good, vigorous
goat. with a dynamic putt. He fully
realizes that he is and must be the
great accelerator of Americas imposing
adventure in Shipbuilding. lie has moth
ing less than an awful responsibility,
and he is taking it for granted that in
these DAYS power goes with response
blity. Power is to him who can WELD
it.
Another sign Of action is the sum-
monng OF the lumbermen Of the At
lantic coast to meet in Washington to-
morrow TO confer regarding steps in
cumbent upon them to speed up wooden
ship construction. ! have pointed out
how the great lumber interests of the
country have failed TO measure up 10
the wooden ship opportunity. An ef-
fort will be made at tins meeting TO
dovetail ship timber production with
SUlDDullulNE anu ~ al
facture and shipment that the ship
builders will not get keel timbers when
they need planking and vice versa and
will have all of their material as fast
as they require it.
Still another sign is the summoning
of all the steel shipyard owners Of
the Atlantic side to a conference on
Wednesday with the Shipping Board.
the Navy Department. the Department
of Labor, other interested government
agencies and the American Federation
of Labor to consider what can be done
TO concentrate the energies OF the ma
tion on shipbulding
Consider Labor Problem
The producing and training of suf-
fcient labor will be the chief subject
for consideration. Every going yard Is
getting along with about % per cent
of one-shift force. The big work IN
hand cannot be done with one shift
Dav and night work will be imperative.
Then there are the big fabricating
plants and all the other new yards
coming on. Ten days ago the estimate
was that 10000 additional shlpbulld-
ers would be required. Now the esu-
mate is ND 10 100000, and some thinh
that nearer 400 600 will be needed, as
against about 900 now at WORK.
There is some complaint that the
dimensions Of the labor problem were
rot realized sooner. 1t was not until
Scutember that the Emergency Fleet
Corporation established its industrial
service department and the problem was
really faced. Now, however, the seri-
business of the labor question Is fuliy
realized. The scope OF the industrial
Service Department will have TO De
greatly widened. Instead of one snip
builders Plattsburg" there ought to be
four. and the closest understanding ana
cooperation must be established pc
tween the Department of Labor, when
is called upon to find the men; the In
Gustrial Service Department, which
must direct their training and distribu,
ton. and the builders. who must poo
their efforts to attract labor instead OF
competing with each other.
Drafting Labor Unlikely
Closely connected with these matters
* the subject of adequate housing fol
this national army OF workers ana the
establishment of harmonious relations
between employers and men. Ihere !,
lalk OF conScrlptlng ldooi' put 'i"' W.
be the last and improbable resort
What is more likely is that steps VIII
be taken to close down or restrict ioi
the period Of the war all Industries tha'
can be temporarily dispensed wlth' Sc
that men whose previous WORK mas III
any degree fitted them for shlpbulldine
can be diverted TO 1t OF their own Tree
will.
II is likely that there will be lively
national. patriotic recruiting campaign
aimed at persuading patriotic workers
10 leave non-essential employment. even
at much sacrifice of personal inclina
ton and comfort. to volunteer for tho
army of the ships that must be built II
our fghting army and the sorely needed
supplies of the fighting armies OF the
Allies are not to remain impotently or
this side of the Atlantic.