Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-30
PHILADELPHIA TO RUSH
SHIPS TO AID ITALY
Heads of Big Plants on the
Delaware Will Confer With
Federal Authorities

As a result Of the Italian reverscs at the
hands Of the Austro-German armies,
dozen Philadelph ans, heads of shipbuilding
activities along the Delaware win visit
Washington tomorrow to confer with the
Emergency Fleet Corporation officials and
repre- fentatives of Big steel concerns en-
gagged in the manufacture of steel for ship
building,
Italy's shortage Of food, munitions and
metals, which contributed 20 her inability
TO retain the ground gained by her in her
campaign, is due. it is said, 10 the lack of
ships to transport these supplies to Italy.
1t is the determination of Chairman Hur-
ley. of the Federal Shipping Board, that
new vessels In American shipyards be
rushed to completion as quickly as possible,
so that supplies which will enable Italy to
renew the offensive may be sent across the
Atlantic.
Tomorrow's conference. which will con-
tinue for several days was called by Chair
man Hurley SO that shipbulders, steel con-
Germs and manufacturers Of shiphuilding
supplies Of all description may have an op-
portunity to discuss plans for his accelera-
ton Of shipbuiding.
Harry Land, head Of the William Cramp
& Sors ShpbuildlnE Company, with several
others from that concern. will attend the
conference. and the Chester Shipbuilding
Corporation. the American International
Corporation, which recently acquired ship
building sites on Hog Island the New York
Shpbuilding Corporation and other local
concerns will send representatives. The
Cambria Steel Company, the United States
Steel Corporation and other concerns which
manufacture steel plates, engines, boilers
and ether shipping supplies will also be rep
resented.
None of the local concerns wac willing
to say today what suggestions it would
have TO offer for Fastening the shipbuild-
ing program All are working as rapidly
as their ability to get labor and raw ma
terials will let them. They are eager to
learn however, what suggestions will eman-
ate from the conference.
The Federal Shipping Board yesterday
| held a conference with representatives
| from the Southern Pine Emergency AS
! ISOLATION, an organization composed of
| southern sawmnl owners and lumbermen.
| The lumbermen pledged themselves to see
! that lumber comes from the mills accord
! ing to the specifications of the board and
! that frames for shipbclding shall always
| have priority Of shipment
| Heretofore some confusion has existed
| due to some Of the mills holding up wood
/ for shipbuilding in favor Of better-paying
| commercial orders and TO meet this condi-
| ton fairly the Government has granted a
small advance in the prices 1t pays for
| lumber.
To insure that the mill owners stick by
! their agreement. the shipping board. work.
ing through George Rubey its repre-.
sentative on the priority board. is prepared
| to enforce a preferential order to prevent
| shipments OF lumber except for Govern.
| ment purposes Violation Of this order will
| be followed by prompt confscation Of the
offending MILL Mr.. Hurley said.
Charles Piez. for many years associated
| with the Link Belt Engineering Company
! of Philadelphia was elected vice chairman
! Of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, and
will in that cap lcity be the direct aid oi
| Mr. Hurley. the chairman Mr.. Piez viii
| continue TO discharge his former duties as
| chairman of the production committee.