The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-03-08
|PbU|LDERS
PATRIOTIC IN !.
LESSER PROFIT
AGREE TO RUSH THE
GOVERNMENTS WORK
Energetic Steps 70 Be Taken
blythe y. S. Navy
= Department.

WASHINGTON, March T.-Amet-
can ship builders engaged on govern
inent work entered into an agreement
with Secretary Daniels today 10 ac-
cept new contracts al flat rate OF
ten percent net profit. and pledged
cooperation 10 the fullest extent or
their ability in rushing TO completion
the navy's construction program.
Virtually all the larger private
plants in the country were represent
ed in the conference. The builders,
who have been netting from 20 10 80
percent on merchant steamers, said
they were willing TO turn to govern
ment contracts at ten percent as
patriotic duty and the secretary on
his part again to protect them from
undue loss. AS a result. for the pres
ent at least, the government will not
consider exercising the authority Civ
en- by congress to commander plants
The Next Step
Of the department will be to call upon
builders not. engaged in government
work 10 undertake such tasks as
they are equipped to carry out. For
the most part this will consist or
building submarine chasers and possi-
bly, some destroyers.
The companies represented today
will furnish Secretary Daniels no!
later than Monday with schedules or
all commercial work in their yards
or for which they contracted. De
tails Of the capitalization Of each con-
Germ, Its fixed charges. material con-
tracts, plans of plants and yards show
ing possibility of enlargement, and
number of employees will be included.
a definite statement Of the amount
and kind OF additional government
work that could be undertaken, with
an estimate Of what might be accom-
plished in a years time also Will be
submitted by each builder.
To See Steel Makers.
The department is in correspond
ence with steel makers and other
manufacturers who supply material
for navy ships. Similar assurances OF
Ico.operation are expected from them
Mr. Daniels said he hoped to inter-
fere with commercial building just
as little as possible, but that nothing
would be allowed 'to stand in the
yay of supplying the navy with ships
and munitions as rapidly as is posi-
BILE"
ND program is the task Of securing
labor. Samuel GOmpers, presiucnt or
the American Federation OF Labor,
and a member Of the National De"
| Tense Council advisory commission,
has called labor conference in con-
nection.
National Emergency.
All conferences and preliminary
measures are preparatory to the issu-
ing by President Wilson Of a procla-
nation declaring that a national emer-
gency exists which requires the use or
the unusual powers granted him by
Congress to hasten naval construc-
ton. After that step has been taken
the emergency fund of more than
500 900, 900 provided for the purpose
will be available to pay for hlgh-speed
construction. and the department VIII
be In a position to require any snip
builder or manufacturer TO begin at
once on work assigned to him.
When the problem Of placing new
ships in yards best fitted to do fast
work has been studied out. the Ques-
ton of getting ways clear of merchant
tonnage now under construction will
be taken up. Wherever possible such
ships will be rushed to completion and
delivered to their owners. No new
merchant ships will be laid down. how
ever. until the needs OF the navy nave
been satisfied.
In some instances 1t is expected
that because Of the shortage OF skilled.
labor and the demand for structural
steel. merchant ships now on the ways
would be completed only to the point
of launching, and then held up whlIo
navy vessels took their places.