Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-20
CONGRESS- ASKS DATA
ON SHIPPING PROGRAM
Wants Full Information to Assist
Senate In Considering Requests
for Further Appropriations.
ROW OVER POLICY UNSETTLED
Differences Between Cocktails and
Denman Expected to Provo Hard
to Settle, and Action by President
May Be Necessary.
tBy Associated Press. ]


WASHINGTON, July 19.-Congress
took note Of the shipbuilding row TO-
day when the Senate passed. without
debate. resolution offered by SEN
ator Smoot calling on President Will
son to furnish information concern
Ing tho governments ship construction
program.
The resolution asked for facts from
the Shipping Board on building con-
tracts let or pending. names of con-
tractors and contract prices. together
with other Information to assist the
Their appropriations.
Another half-billion dollars for shin
construction will be asked. the Ship
ping Board announced recently. as soon
as It's estimates arc approved by the
Pres dent.
Meanwhile. members OF the Shipping
Board and Major General Cocktails
manager of the Shipping Boards
Emergency Fleet Corporation, contin-
ued discussion of General Goethals's
plans for building two government ship
plants. and for communicating tonnage
In private yards.
General Cocktails met with tho board
In the morning. and in the afternoon
the board held a separate conference.
Chairman Denman announced to-
night that the board seeks further in
formation concerning the generals pro-
gram, and that no decision as to an
proving the program will be made un-
I'll The subject has been given full
consideration
PART or GOETHALs,s sCHEu..
Persons in close touch with the sit :
uation still see possibilities OF differ
ence betNH cen General Goethals and TIC
board. which will be hard to settle
mere have been limitations that tho
board may disapprovc OF parts of the
generals scheme. II this situation
arises. many believe II may be neccs
kary for President Wilson 10 dccid.
hnaily az to who shall be in sunrcue
charge OF the building program. Friends
OF General Cocktails say he may refuse
TO accept the boards suggestions ~
they involve radical change in his
plans. Chairman Denman's statemen,
tonight indicates that the board does
no. agree with General Cocktails as
10 sites for the government plants and
that II VIII Insist that they be pI,cod
on government-owned land and ,ha,
Z the general abandon his plan fer Civ
ing contractors who build the nlants
option to purchase them.
The Shipping Board. 1t is understood
Is determined that prohts in buildinp
the fabricated ships be held down. and
That there shall BIO no double nroat
on manufacture OF the steel for the
ships and on actual construction.
Chairman Denman's statement fol-
lows:
we arc rapidly acquiring full in
formation as to the contracts proposed
to be let by General Goethals on Mon
Gay. we expect to receive tomorrow
iacts as to the amount estimated $3.50
per dead weight ton per ship which is to
De spent In the government yards, and
the amount which is to be spent Of
'ne totai product in the private yards
"here the ships are to be fabricated.
NATTER OF COMMUNICATING
TO DE DECIDED AT ONCE
The matter of communicating is a
matter for discussion with the State
Department, which probably will be
d-r!ced almost Immediately Although
the general plan OF communicating
mas neen approved by the administra-
ton. how II will be worked out in de-
tall presents questions which will re-
ceive immediate decision
We are receiving every assistance
and cooperation from General Coo
thals that his great ability can give US
The government fabricating yards will
be built on government and not on
leased property. and no agreement
looking to the giving up of any of these
yards to private interests will be en-
tered into at this time.
adequate compensation will be paid
TO interests who will be asked to assist
the government whose services can he
accepted for the rapid construction of
SHIPS. These men are not of the type
TO ask stimulating profits beyond a
fair return for their abilities and en-
terprise. and with General Goethalss
assistance. we have no doubt contract.
Will be shortly closed"