The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-12-19
TO INVESTIGATE
SHIPPING BOARD
Congress to Probe Failure to
Produce Ships.
PIEz TAKES HARRIS PLACE
Admiral Quits Fleet Corporation After
Dispute Over Moving Headquarters
to Philadelphia.

Admiral Quits Fleet Corporation After
Dispute Over Moving Headquarters
to Philadelphia.
Washington, Dec. 10 Investiga-
ton OF delays in building the Ameri-
can merchant marine by the shipping
board and Emergency Fleet corpora
ton was ordered by the senate.
A resolution by Mr. Harding, Re-
publican, Ohio, was rushed through
after vigorous criticism by several
senators of the failure to produce
ships.
A resolution calling for a similar
the house by Representative Edmonds,
Republican, of Philadelphia.
Th2 senate investigation will be
conducted by the commerce commit
tee. In the comprehensive inquiry
authorized. the committee YVES direct
ed to invcs'igate the plans and prog
ress AMI all matters in connection
with the building of merchant ships"
Of the shipping board and Fleet cor
poration with a view to making RENE
dial recHmmen dations to congress.
1T is 2 crime that money placed In
its hands should bSso badly handled"
said Senator Harding, who charged
the shipping board with "red tape and
inefficiency."
Senator Fletcher. Democrat, Flori-
da. chairman of the commerce COM
NIT I'D -
vestigation would accomplish little
He conceded that conditions were I'M
fortunate.
at is little use to provide an army
that we can't transport and sustain
said Senator Harding. 1.-The winning
of the war depends on the merchant
marine. 1t will add confidence and
morale to the American people If we
have efficiency in the shipping organ
ization. The trouble seems an inter
minable tangle of red tape"
Congress action came after the an
nouncement of further reorganization
Of the shipbuilding organization, with
the resignation of Rear Admiral Fred
erick R. Harris as general manager
Of the Emergency Fleet corporation,
and the appointment Of Charles A.
Piez, of Chicago, to succeed him.
With the announcement of the
changes. Edward N. Hurley, chairman
Of the shipping board, disclosed that
the progress of building ships is go.
ing forward more rapidly than has
been generally known.
4 general reorganization Of she cor
poration will follow the chang Rear
Admiral Frances T. Bowless We to
Admiral Harris, will have port
ant place In the new organ
James Heyworth will full
charge of wooden CO tion.
Charles Day will become n an pr Of
the production department.
Admiral Harris resignst was
! presented. re President II = l-l Fe1zz
accepted. Mr.. Hurley ammo Ia, be
cause Of his insistence on moving the
Offices of the corporation to Philadel'
phia.
Regarding the shipbuilding prgram
Mr.. Hurlev said at present there are
under construction and under contract
S.395,30S dead weight tons of ship
ping.
1t was said one cause Of Pear AID
miral Harris request to be relieved
was a disagreement with Mr.. Hurley
over the expenditure of $12,0o0,00c
for the housing of employees at ship
building plants. Mr.. Hurley Is said
to have disapproved Admiral Harris
plan to spend the money Immediately
He desired first to consult the coun
Gil of national defense's housing com
nattee,