New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-07
u. S. to Speed Up
Construction of
New Warships
President May Proclaim
National Emergency, 1t
Is Expected
Prom Tie Tribune Bureau

Washington. March 6.-Within a few
days President Wilson will, it Is eX-
pected, proclaim national emergency
warranting the exercise Of the eXtraor-
dinary powers granted him in the naval
appropriations bill passed Saturday.
These powers include Communicating
private ship yards and all factories
making munitions of war for the navy.
They permit also the expenditure Of
s115 900 ,OOO for the sole purpose of OBJ
tanning rapid construction.
Secretary Daniels admitted to-day
that without the utmost exercise OF
power the great naval building pro-
gramme would be impossible of reaii-
zation, and may have 10 be sacriilced
partially even if the President goes to
the extreme limit of the authority
granted him by Congress.
The Secretary conferred to-day with
representatives Of the principal private
shipbuilding companies, both on the At
lentic and Pacific coasts, and asked
them 70 furnish him a detailed survey
OF their facilities for naval cOnstruc-
tion. He told them that the government
would expect them TO strain their ca
pacity to the utmost to build the maxi
mum number Of ships, from dread
noughts to submarines. IN record-oreah-
ing time. They assured him that they
we're ready 10 place all their resources
at the disposition Of the government,
and that they would furnish an est--
mate Of the possibilities at second
meeting with him tomorrow.
Must Devote Time to L. ).
Mr.. Daniels said that if he could ac-
complish his purpose without taking
the shipyards and munitions factories
cut Of the hands Of their owners he
would do 50. but he would have TO be
satisfied that they were devoting their
energies primarily and effectively TO
the governments interests. He viii ask
many OF them to lay aside all outside
work. including private contracts. and
possible contracts for the European bel
| ligerents in some cases. II is believed,
however that these measures will not
be permitted to inflct any serious dam
age on the Allies.
President Wilson discussed this pro-
gramme with Mr.. Daniels this after
noon. The Secretary told him that the
wise spending Of the 100000 speed
ing-up appropriation was the hardest
problem now before the department.
He related his conversation with the
shipyard managers this morning.
At that conference he informed them
that. whereas they had been talking OF
building destroyers in two years and
submarines in eighteen months and
considered that 10 be rapid work, they
would have 20 do much better than
,ba, Ve said he would expect them TO
build destroyers in nine or ten months
/ and submarines in seven. This never
has been accomplished in the history OF
tbc American navy. but some OF the
/ Furonean belligerents have done II.
Gompers Asked TO Help
: The TWO principal obstacles 10 speed
J In shipbulding are the scarcity oi
( labor and the difficulty Of getting ma
cbipery. Only a few plants make such
engines, and they are crowded with
work.
q A. for the labor problem, Mr Daniels
/ conferred with Secretary Of Labor WI.
( son and Samuel Gompers, president oi
/ the American Federation OF Labor
after his talk with the President. Mr..
Gompers has called a conference OF
labor leaders for next week 20 take up
the question Of labor relation 10 ma.
tional defence. He ~ member oi
the Advisory Commission Of the Coun-
Gil Of National Defence.