Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-14
GOETHALS TAKES
FULL CHARGE Of
FLEET PROGRAM
Immediate Construction of
Two aforementioned
Plants Contemplated.
CONTRACTS FOR WORK
TO 8E LET ON MONDAY
100000 Tons of Shipping Now
Building for Private Account
to Be Communicated.
TO ASH FOR ANOTHER BIG SUM
Announcement Regarded as Indicat-
ing Final Settlement in Con-
trovcrsy as to Policy.
CONTRACTS FOR WORK
TO Be LET ON MONDAY
TO ASH FoR ANOTHER BIG SUM
Announcements Regarded as Indicat-
ing Final Settlement in Con.
tvovcrsy as to Policy.

WASHINGTON. July 13.-Major- Gem
ping Boards Emergency Fleet Corpora
Ion, took full charge of the govern
n,ents Shipbuiiding program to-day
and announced sweeping plans for con-
structing the great merchant fleet with
which the United States hopes to de-
feat the German submarine campaign.
The most important steps contem-
plated are these:
Immediate construction of two gov
ernment-owned shipbuilding plants for
building 400 fabricated steel ships of
100000 tonnage.
Communicating OF 100000 tons OF
shipping now building for private ac-
count in American yards.
request for another great APP
preparation for building ships.
General Goethalss announcement was
made in a letter to Chairman Denman,
of the Shipping Board. which said the
Fleet Corporation, under powers Just
granted by Pr >sident Wilson, would
start on it's building program Monday
by Offering contracts for construction
OF rhe two government ship plants. and
by outlining to ship builders the plans
| for communicating vessels under con-
struction. - =, s
DIRECTORS TO DISCUSS
PROGRAM ON MONDAY
Chairman Denman, of the Shipping
Board. who also is president and d.
rector OF the corporation, and whose
friends had sought for him the powers
conferred on the Fleet Corporation by
The PRESIDENT. made this statement
after receiving General Goethals's let
ter:
The board OF directors of the Fleet
Corporation Will be called together,
probably Monday, to discuss the gem
erals program. / have no doubt the
directors and the general will have no
disagreement over policy on the pro-
gram he has outlined for us when the
matter has had full discussion"
General Goethals's announcement and
MIR. Denmans comment were regarded
by the generals friends as Indicating
a final settlement in his favor OF the
long drawn-out contro, ersy between
the two men as to the policy to be
pursued in building ships.
Although the Fleet Corporations
hoard of directors is composed of MEM
bers and employees of the Shipping
Board, it was said tone sht on the
highest authority that the situation
would be SO arrang ID that General
Goethals can proceed w,,hout him
nrance. 14
CoNSTRUCT NO SHIPS
OF THE HUUGH DESIGN
The Fleet Corporation, 1t Is made
clear in General Goetha!s's announce
ment, Will build all the wooden ships
possible. but Only after design ap-
proved by the corporations naval archi-
tect. This is taken TO mean that the
corporation will construct no ships of
the Hough design. TO which the Ship
ping Board is said to be committed.
The Hough design, it was declared to-
day. has not been accepted for classifi-
cation by Lloyds's because OF the char
acter of its construction.
General Goetha!ss letter to Mr.. Dem
man discusses that the fleet corpora
ton has let contracts for 425 ships. 34S
OF them wood and seventy seven steel,
with total tonnage OF l,S60.S00. The
cost OF the wooden ships Will be $143
4, ton. and the steel ships il5S.
Contracts for building the govern
ment yards will be let Monday. on .
basis OF cost plus 8 per cent Options
will be given TO contractors to pur-s
chase tho plants on completion of ths
work.
iIOHsTS lndl nave come 10 tho cIeet
Corporation for building completed
ships, it WAS said to-day. show that
s;eel ships can be built faster than
wood. Steel ships complete. 4. Is said,
can bo turned out within five montha
from tho time work is begun. while
wooden construction will require eight
months
Gao statement in General Goethals's
! ,ct;er would indicate that he does not
sgrea with Chairman Denman as to-
Tho wisdom OF taking over for govern
mont use the ships nnder construction.
| FOR American and allied citizens. Gen-
! oral Goothala would turn back to their
| owners tho vessels commandeered for
tho purpose OF speeding them up. ana
thus save tho government money tas
be expended In moro construction,
| GoETHALs WRITES DETAILS
| OF PROGRAM TO DEN4fAN
General ooothais.s latter to Chats
man Donman follows: &
"Now that the President hass Au.s