The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-10-26
100000 MORE
MEN REQUIRED
FOR SHIPYARDS
Means to Move Army Will
BE Lacking at Present
Rate of Construction.
ALLIES NEED TONNAGE
Twenty-Five Vessels for Use Of
Italy Set Aside on Urgent
Plea.
ALLIES NEED TONNAGE

Special pespdirh IN THe Sun.
WASHINGTON, oct e5.--Sh'p construc-
ton throughout the United States IL
tagging because of scarcity OF labor.
and the Government wants 100000 more
men to bring the shipyards to the full
capacity that is required to meet the
urgent demands OF the allied nations.
Many Of the shiryards. working one
shift day. are able to turn out only
IS to SO per cent. OF the output that
could ~ produced with three shifts Of
eight hours each. There are 100000
men employed for the one shift in the
yards. and the desired additional shifts
cannot he filled for want OF men.
The Shipping BOARD comedies the
ground for Lord Northcliffe's Chicago
statement that the country would not
be able by the end OF 1918 to turn out
the 100000 tons required for ira nsport
purposes. but at the same time II was
stated that II tho pending labor troubles
could be settled and the scarcity Of
labor cured tonnage output OF be-
tween 5000. 900 and 5000 900 could be
reached by the end Of next year.
Needs ships to Garry Army.
The situation has been relieved some
what by the recent announcement that
the plan Of exempting shipyard en-
ployees from military service was un-
der serious consideration by the War
Depa rtment. II is realized by the War
Department officials. as Lord North
clifYe plainly stated. that there Il little
use Of raising an immense army II
there are to be no ships to transport
il and keep II munitioned and fed once
il is on the other side.
This situation may lead to an ex-
tension OF the exemption privileges Of
men who are employed IN the construc-
tion Of ships or who are engaged in al
lied trades. This could he worked out
easily under the new draft system OF
hve classes announced last Saturday
by Provost Marshal General Crowder.
The 5000. 900 eligibles will he appor.
toned to the Ave classes in the order
they are to he called. The economic
value Of a man will determine TO large
extent the class to which he will he as
signed.
That is ~ he is engaged in war in
dustry ne will be placed in the NTH clas 50
which will be the last called. Many VI
the officials who are striving for n max
mum ship tonnage output hope the
War Department will decide TO place
! shipyard employees in tho las, class
IN carrying OUT HS pDilCN 'i cN'thh''h
to the Allies the use Of whatever tonnage
+ the United States can spare. the snip
( ping Board to-day agreed to turn over
/ to the Italian Government 100000 ton:
of American shipping-ahou' twenty
/ Ave vessels--which will he drawn partly
, from the coastwise trade and parity
| from the foreign trade.
This will make 3sO 600 tons that th'
! shipping Board has released for charter
to the Allies in the last few days France
being an earlier beneficiary. The frencl
Government was given 10000 tons a
shipping for charter outright and an al
ditional zoo. 900 tons Of modern, fas
sailing vessels in exchange for +00,00'
tons Of small slow French Steamship
which have been plying outside the sub
marine zones.
board Faces Bis Task.
The shipping Board is s,raining ever,
effort to relieve the shortage OF bottom
which admittedly is going TO handica
the United States and the Allies for tn
next year. II Is going to be tire
mendous task. oflicials Of the board con
cede.
The policy Of the Shipping Boart
however. is TO give whatever assistanc
Is possible to the Allies. irrespective c
the dlrncultles encountered AT nome /
the matter OF construction. France al
ready has five or six OF the ships give
her most OF which are from the grea
lakes. one ship will he given Italy a
once and others will he turned over a
rapidly as they arrive In port and dis
charge their Cargoes. In cases wher
coastwise ships are given 10 italy il
planned to get ships from the lakes I
take their places.
italy has compliance that the lack ,
assistance from her allies in respect I
coal was responsible for her. inability I
continue the great italian offens,
toward Vienna. There Is also a scarcit
OF food In Italy. which the Shippin