New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-19
President Upholds
Hurley in Shipping
Board Upheaval
Rear Admiral Bowles Slated
to Become Chief of
Construction
ISiaf C0rrespOHdcHccI

WASHINGTON, Dee. 1s-Presidcnt
Wilson's confidence in Chairman Hur
ley Of the Shipping Board rcmaina
mistaken; this despite the latest up
hcaval in the government shipping or
eanization which resulted in the
resignation Of Admiral Frederick r.
Harris and the elevation Of Charles
Piez. OF Chicago. 20 the general mau-
agcrship Of the Emergency Fleet Cor
poration.
The President. it is stated on good
authority, was fully acquainted with
the situation in advance of the with
drawal Of Admiral Harris. This is
further substantiatcd by the reticence
Of Secretary Daniels and the fact that
the name Of Charles Wellmsn Parks,
civil engineer, was to-day communi.
Gated TO the Senate by the President
for confirmation as Admiral Harris
successor as chief Of the Bureau OF
Yards and Docks.
The latest reorganization of the
Fleet Corporation contcmpates the
assignment of Rear Admiral Bowles,
aid TO Admiral Harris, as chief con-
structor. James iieyworth will have
charge Of wooden construction and
Charles Day. who accompanied Com
missioner Colby TO the inter-allied
conference. viii become manager OF
the production department.
Explaining the Harris retirement and
the existing organization Of the Ship.
ping Board and the Fleet Corporation
Chairman Hurley stated:
The Emergency Fleet Corporation
was organized IN the same form a.
other large and successful corporations
''ln order Ia expedite the actual pro
duction Of ships, the groundwork OF
plans having been laid by pervious man
agements. Mr.. Pietz, one of the most
noted engineers and organizers in the
country, was requested by me TO effec
a reorganization. This reorganization
is nearly completed. Its success is as
sured by the fact that it derives it,
inspiration from the actual condition!
in the shipyards of the country.
Admiral Harris's Demands
admiral Harris, upon the retire
ment of Admiral Caps, on Decembei
l, on account Of i'll health. was desig
mated general manager. While the re-
organization was in progress. he 'sug
gcsted to me that the Emergency Flee
Corporation be moved to Philadelphia
! suggested that matter of this kind
involving policy as well as possibl,
legislative approval, would certainly
have to be submitted 10 the board Of
trustees, as it would be submitted il
any corporation to the board of di
rectors He also wanted to give hi.
immediate approval to an expenditur,
Of Sl2,000000 for housing operations il
connection with the shipyard
This being a departure from tn,
corporations function of shipbuilding
| felt that the trustees should pas,
upon II. Admiral Harris then ex.
pressed the opinion that his authority
was to be limited and he would be
able to render more service elsewhere
The board Of trustees coneurred il
this judgment, feeling that their duty
required careful consideration of prof
ectS apart from shipbuilding.
Mr.. PieZ's grasp upon the whole
shipbulding programme has been Sc
strong and his knowledge Of actua
conditions in the yards so definite, thai
the best results can be obtained bl
combining his function as vice-presi.
dent with those Of general manager
He has been designated as genera
manager. Former Rear Admiral Bowles
whose practical shipbuiding expert
ence was gained as president of tht