The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-06-16
WILL CLEAR YARDS FOR
BIG BUILDING PROGRAM
Goethals Expects to Complete
100000 Tons in
Is Months.

WASHINGTON. d. C.. June l5.
The vast amount OF steel mer-
chant shipping under construction
in American yards--nrobably TWO
million tonS-will be taken over
Immediately by the government
under power granted in provi-
sion of the war budget bill. signed
to-day by President Wilson.
The announcement was made
today at a conference OF the cuun-
rr!'s Srecl shipbuilders with the
shipping board and its emergency
fleet corporation. Shipping now
in the yards will be hurried TO
completion BY The institution Of
system Of double, and tripl" work
ing shifts, and when the ways are
cleared OF present contracts The
fleet corporation will begin con-
Struction Of lis great fleet Of stand
ardizrd steel vessels.
Only BY taking over contracts
for itself can the government speed
construction. since Congress failed
10 give il power 10 rush building
for private owners. Contracts
calling for future construction.
and on which actual work has not
been started, probably will be alb.
rogatrd unless The feet corpora
lion decides the ships are special
ly fitted for the governments
needs.
Great Building Program.
Major General Goethals, general
manager OF the fleet corporation,
Told the Shipbuilders to-day that
he expected 10 turn out within the
next eighteen months fully 3,000,-
600 tons Of steel shipping. and per-
haps more. Steel companies, he
said. have agreed TO furnish suffi-
Cirnl steel 10 build 100000 tons a
month. The only question, he
said. is the capacity Of the yards.
working AZ top-nost speed.
About 100000 tons Of the ship
building in American yards, or
contracted for. is for British ac-
count. This the British govern
ment has agreed 10 turn over 20
the United States voluntarily. The
vessels. as. fast as built. will be
chartered by the shipping board
TO private operators. and perhaps
in some instances 10 the Allied
governments.
The shipbuildcrS were told the
government at This lime has no
intention of taking over the ship
yards If the shipbuilders exert
t"hir utmost efforts 10: speed con-
S,ructinn.
Power to Commander.
The bill a. passed vests in the
President the power ia comman-
deer. and he is expected within
The next few days 10 issue a proc
lamation designating either the
shipping board or the feet corpor-
alton as tho agency 10 carry out
III" provisions OF the act.
No statement WAS made con-
corning wooden Shipyards. hut it
is understood III" intention is to
commander such wooden vessels
building as tho government needs.
General GOcthalS plans to supple
ment the program for great
steel feet with some wooden vcs.
sells. although he will moi build as
many as was originally Contem-
plated hY the shipping board be.
fore III" fleet corporation was
formed. with full powers 10 build
ships.
The price Of >r""l for The ships
10 hr built has nol been lixrd def
nitcly. hui il is understood Gener.
al G0eIhals is willing To pay 500 il
ton. Some members Of the shin.
ping board. who are directors OF
tho nrrr corporation. favor. il is
said. price around $50. Since
Chairman Dcnman. nf The board.
president of thr feet corporation.
has 20 sign ali contracts. it is con.
sid"reG likely thar a price lower
than $40 will he agreed on