New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-12
u. S. Shipbuilding
Plans Fail, Says
/ Patriotic Society
Predicts Only l,5OO,OOO
Tons of New Vessels
During Coming Year
Red Tape to Blame
Work Held Up by officials at
Washington Who Are
Declared Incompetent
Red Tape to Blame

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1i.-America' az
the present rate of progress, IN 1910
will produce about 100000 tons OF
new shipping, instead of 6,OOO,OoO IONS
promised by the Emergency Fleet Cor
poration. according to statement
issued here to-day by the Patriotic Edu-
cation Society. Il is doubtful II, with
out marked change of conditions, the
new government built yards Will turn
out a single ship in 1918, the statement
says. 4.
Even present tonnage, according 10
the society, is not being used to capac-
ity. owing to the congestion OF ireIghI
on the docks, failure 20 provide proper
storage and lighter facilities and neg
lect of the nations transportation facil-
tiles. including inland waterways and
automobile roads.
an no other field Of our war eff
forts is there greater need for bust
ness management, Tor cOOfdlnalioh'
than in handling our transportation
question" the statement continues
1.-THE situation calls for radical action.
The chairman of our Shipping Board
should be vested with the powers OF a
dictator, similar to those conferred by
Great Britain upon her Minister Of
Shipping.
Suggests New Dictator
POSSIBLY there should also be
transportation dictator. who would see
that railroads, inland waterways, stor-
age warehouses and lighterlng facll-
ties are run as one system to secure
maximum efficiency.
I'VE cannot speak OF ships IN these
days without mentioning its interlock-
ing problem-labor. We must face the
problem as England has. of organizing
3 labor for national service.
"Of course, this is a programme 10
/ be nut in force after Congress meets
/ in December. But there IS work 70 De
done at once. ,.-
admiral Capps, the general manager
I OF the Emergency Fleet Corporation,
recognized as one OF the aDlest hasal
/ constructors in the world, ana hoIhihs
/ has occurred during his administration
/ of the Fleet Corporation 10 ae.iac'
from that justly deserved reputation.
However, he is an old man ana SttH
man. and the responsibilities OF ~
cffice have further underm;hel ~.
health. To-day red-tape methods are
in vogue IN the Iluti ENHNF 'N
poration, and the entire prog IN
has become nopelessly involved. Inc
emergency Fleet Corporation does hV1
stoer or direct; irresponsible oihciaiS
merely SIT in Washington with the veto
NON which they employ 20 checK INC
Constructive efforts of the practical
shipbuilders Of the country.
Cites Instances OF Failure
"The following specific instances II. u,
Iustrate the failure OF the presen'
Emergency Fleet Corporation TO Pro
duce the ships necessary to win 'h'
war: 49,. -, -,
wards of the Newport-News Dry Doef
and Shipbuilding Company, our lafges,
shiuyard is only about oO per CEN
OF what il should be, owing TO the IN
intelligent handling OF the LABOR h0uS
inc question. The company has askeo
tbe Government TO appropriate Sl,OOO,
00O 10 S2,000,000 for workingmen'
houses to be built on land provided bJ
the company. The Emergency Flee
Corporation offers 70 build the houses
but insists upon securing a mortgage
on the ..ompany's plant. On the otnel
hand, the company argues that th'
houses will be a dead loss after tn'
war, and that the government shoul'
stand this lose by accepting a mort
gage on the houses.
"2-The spirit Of trade and barte'
has held up work on the government
owned yards and continues to make foi
delay. Contracts for building and OPP
Grating The yards at Hog Island, Penn
at Port Newark and at Bristol rom
were drawn up by General uoethals
They were not signed for four months
"S-The contract for building tn
ward at Port Newark and operating II
under government supervision upoT
completion was awarded the Submarine
Boat Company. In order to launch tn
new ships it is necessary to dredg'
S,OO0,OO cubic yards OF soft mud u
the channel Of Newark Bay. An expo
. rienced dredging concern called IN D.