Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-29
SHIPPING QUESTION
NO LONGER PROBLEM
Rapid Progress Being Made in Reor-
ganization Of Bonrd by Bust
90 nesslike Methods.
HAPHAzARD COURSE
Definite Plans Will BE Perfected to
Secure Most Service From Each
y Vessel Before Any Arc COmman-
deered-Experts Head Boards.

wASH1NGTON, July 2S.-The ship
ping problems OF the United States are
to be handled in thoroughly business
like manner Ships will not be COM
Wandered haphazard. 1t was learned
to-day from source close to Chair
man Edward N. Hurley. Of the Ship
ping Board. Before any ships are
seized or any of the vessels now avail
able arc made use of. q transportation
committee will be appointed TO direct
the movement of every ship afoat in
United States waters Offers have been
made to the biggest shipping men in
the country TO take the post as head
of the transportation committee. Con-
ferences will be held with several Of
these men. probably on Monday. The
shipping committee of the Council of
National Defense will hold a meeting
Tuesday morning and measure up
every available man for the position
Then, by process Of elimination, the
best fitted will be chosen.
Some of those suggested for Chair
man Hurlcy's choice arc: p. a. S.
Franklin, president OF the Interna-
tional Mercantile Marine; III. f. Ray
mond, president of the Coastwise Ship
ping Association: Eugene I. Chamber
lain. commissioner, Bureau of Naviga-
I1On, Ol -. /.
Warren, of the Standard OIL Company;
L. II. Sherman. vice-president W.. r.
Grace & Co.. e. NJ. Bull, vice president,
A. II. Bull e Co.; Frank c. Munson.
president of the Munston Steam
ship Lines: Crawford H. Ellis,
vice president, United Fruit Company.
and Captain Robert Dollar. head OF the
Dollar Steamship Lines.
More than 100 ships already are
available for the use OF the Shipping
Board, 1t was learned to-day, but no
effort is being made to operate them at
this time because of the lack Of pro-
gram. Moreover. Chairman Hurley is
systemizing the whole shipping prob
len to prevent confusion. He is un-
derstood to believe that more harm
than good can be dono through rush
ing the ships now available to vari-
Gus points for cargoes when there are
no cargoes there. or sending them on
journeys when there is no assurance
that cargo space can be utilized on
the return trip.
The plan the Shipping Board will
put into operation is this, said high
official to-day: The most capable ship
ping man in the country that we can
get hold OF will be made head Of the
transportation committee. He will or
ganize his department and then the
Shipping Board will inform him OF the
ships now available and those nearing
completion with the date when they
may be expected to be ready for ser
vice.
Tho transportation expert will have
at his command the location OF cargoes
and 1t will then remain for him to have
the ships connect with the cargoes He
also Will keep Informed as to condi-
lions abroad. so that the vessels will
not have to return in ballast except
In exceptional cases.
with one capable man handling the
transportation problem we will have
plenty of ships to carry out any pro-
gram OF the War Department. and at
the same time keep a steady stream
OF ships crossing the ocean with NUM-
lions and foodstufrs. Within week, it
is expected ships will be leaving port
with clock-like precision. and when
all those now available have been
got under way. there will be others
to take their places"
Admiral Capps, general manager OF
the Emergency Fleet Corporation, is
working on program that promises
TO supply as many ships MS can be
handled by the end OF the year. Con-
tracts for hundreds of steel vessels are
declared TO be offered already. aside
from those already signed. Next week
Is likely to see work started in n
score OF stee! shipyards. The wooden
snip program. too. is far advanced.
Contracts VIII be ready for final dispo-
Sttlon early next week