Evening journal., 1917-11-01
admiral BOWELS
Tells Of GREAT
need OF BOATS
lContInued From Page one.l

Board, formerly president of the Fore
River Shipbuilding Company.
Admiml Bowles was delayed by
freight wreck near Baltimore. and
his train did not reach this city un'
til after 1 o'clock.
He was met at French street station
by q committee and escorted to the
hotel. At the speakers table were
Judge Gray and members Of the war
shipping committee, Mayor John w.
Lawson, former Judge /. C.. Grubb,
former Judge David r. Marvel, General
James II. Wilson, Chancellor Charles
NJ. Curtis. William b. Mcgcar, president
! OF the Chamber OF Commerce; John II.
Hickey, president OF the Central Labor
Union. and John n. Saylor.
Men prominent in all walks OF life
attended the luncheon. Admiral
Rowles was given a rousing reception
when he walked into the dining room.
He was welcomed formally by Judge
Gray and General Wilson.
Judge Gray introduced Admiral
Bowles. He said, We differ In poll
tics and policies in ordinary times.
but In face OF the present crisis all
these differences disappear and we
stand shoulder TO shoulder to defend
and uphold the great American prin'
ciples.
"Our minds and our hearts are
J there with the duties OF the hour" ne
continued. 1T was my privilege last
night TO attend the meeting OF the
strikers and 20 learn there that there
is no dissension but that all are
! Americans and will try TO do their
bit. They all realized that we be
long 10 a greater union. The meet
ing last night gave me new courage
in our country. They are as patriot
Ic as any men,"
} Admiral Bowles was loudly applaud
ed when he arose 10 speak. He said he
/ felt he was brought here under false
} pretenses. He said he thought he was
. 70 come TO Wilmington to help cure
the sore throat OF strike, but nc
} found Judge Gray had done II all him
. self. He said when he was called upon
to serve In this crisis, he found the
, work not encouraging, for a merchant
: marine has been the dream OF his life
, He cited the needs OF a merchant ma
= rine In this war and said II could hard.
, " be realized what the undertaking
q
for a big feet 10 keep the army sup
. piled and TO enable armies TO do theil
part overseas In the war.
The Fleet Corporation has awarded
= contracts for 400 steel vessels and ha
requlsltloned 400 ships Of over 25O
. tons now building in all yards, Admlra
BOwles said. There are now buildin
. 1900 vessels. The shipyards are eN
pected 10 do from eight TO ten time
, more work in the coming year tina
" they ever have done before. The shiI
builders OF the United States toda
lhave but one customer, and thi
Is the nation. The shipbuilder and h
employees are serving the nation an
no one else.
The speaker explained at lengt
the method OF requisition by the go
n ernment and what the governmel
does OF the owners OF ships that ha'
/ been taken over, since II becan
! sure that the United States would
into the war. People from 9th
~ countries hae filled our yards wi
=, / orders for ships. The tonnage tax
- over however, will remain the pro
=, etty of the United States. The File
- Corporation must make full use
"a the resources OF the United States.
"The labor situation has been befo
Us Won. and Il has been represented IN
e there Is a shortage OF labor, and ! su
nj pose there Is, but the situation is n
so serious as II might appear" sa
Admiral Bowles.
"The proper use OF labor requires II
telligence in hiring men. The majorli
OF the yards permit foremen to emplc
n and discharge men. Arrangements al
being made by which the shlpbulldir
business viii be made the preierr'
business under hte selective draft lay
at but Il won't be haven for slackers.
x, someone will take pains TO teach me
Il, 10 adapt themselves TO trades, thel
be Will be no shortage OF labor. The shil
a ward has started a training course
six weeks.
Of This system will produce nifty tho'
nd sand trained shlpyard workers.
tn There are twenty-five reduisitlon
ships building here now, and more a
needed. We are prepared to pla
~ more orders here but we can't find o
ge when they will be delivered. It is n
~, sufficient 10 settle a strike, but to S
as that one never occurs again during u
In emergency"
ed "An absolutely disinterested par
Sc must take hold OF the situation. Y
yd- men have the talent to arrange
el- the arouse of the rest. We are goi
re- to be a greater and nobler people
I'm this war Everyone should feel