Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-25
SHIPPING BOARD CALLS
FOR STATE COOPERATION
Council OF Defense Will Consider
Its Program on
Friday.
CONDITIONS ABOUT sHlPYARDs
Mast Create Feeling in Shipbuilding
Communities That Ship COnstruc-
ton Is Of Highest Importance in
the Winning OF the War.

At a meeting at the Capitol next FRI
day. the Virginia Council of De-
Tense will consider. among a number
of other matters. a proposal from
Washington. sent At the request of the
United States shipping Board and the
Emergency Fleet Corporation. LOOKING
10 cooperation between the Councils
OF Defense OF all the States in the work
of carrying GU; the national shipbuild-
ing program. one OF the leading ship
building authorities in this country.
Homer l. Ferguson. president of the
Newport News Shjrbuilding and Dry
Dock Company. Is u member OF the
Virginia Council.
The facts in the case. as now pre-
scented. and the specific suggestions to
the State councils, We're given out yes
terdaY a follows:
The immcnsity of the task OF build
ing vessels sufficient in tonnage TO
transport our army 10 France. maintain
1t there supply the increased demand
Of our allies for munitions, FOODS and
supplies. and AT the same time over
come the inevitable loss from sub
marines. has been until recently lost
sight OF III our recent military, dipio-
matte and economic activities. We are
separated by the Atlantic Ocean from
the field OF battle. and the fundamental
fact is that without adequate shipping
we shall be wholly unable TO do our
share in winning the war.
BUILDING I,4O0 VESSELS
or S.63G.SOS TONS
The Immediate program o, the
Emergency Fleet CORPORATE includes
400 vessels of varying tonnage. with
a total lightweight tonnage of $685.
sos tons.
In order TO carry out this huge pro-
gram dozens OF new shipyards have
been establi shed; some OF them for the
building merely OF a single wooden
vessel of a few thousand tons. This
gives some i'd. of the enormous
problems involved i'll tho last totals
required. Shipyards are now in opera
ton or under construction in twenty
five States, including practically All
touching on either ocean, the gulf and
the Great Lakes.
The United states Shipping Board
and Emery cncy Fleet Corporation have
been reorganizcd and are attacking
this great problem with renewed vigcr
and effectiveness, but there remains
much important constructive and ad-
ninistrative work which must be done
on the spot in each shipyard and in
each shipyard commun,y
The work asked of the state councils
will in a general way he in three
STAGES.
The HrSt stage "lll be.
ta) To make certain that the condi-
lions in and about tho yards are ready
for an influx OF mechanics. This will
include assistance in improving hous-
ing conditions and the utilization Of
the system OF employment exchanges
now being developed.
th) To create the feeling in ship
yard communities that ship construc-
ion is OF the highest Importance. and
that the artisans III the shpyards must
receive recognition from the public as
patriotic members oil the community,
entitled 10 good living conditions. hos
pitable reception and entertainment.
The government recognizes the work
as patriotic by treating the service as
parallel with that of the army and
navy, fact that should hc widely pub
lished during each stage of the work.
RECRUITING MEN FOR
WORK IN SHIPYARDS
The second stage will lac IA campaign
10 recruit men already in ship-buildinE
trade for Immediate employment in the
yards.
The third stage will he.
ta) To continue the recruiting or
trained shipyard workers.
tbD ITO obtain artisans skilled in re-
lated trades and ain them in ship
construction under service conditions,
means for which Will shortly be in
stalled in the larger shipyards.
Living conditions in some shipbuild-
ing communities arc such that the sec
ord stage OF the work may he entered
upon al once, and at such points the
state councils Will I've asked shortly TO
begin recruiting. In all other places.
the first work of tho state councils
Will be TO see that their local commit
tees work with Federal agencies in
studying and improving housing ana
living conditions and by publicity to
create favorable community senti-