The Washington herald., 1918-07-04
u. S. TONNAGE
DEFIANCEFOR
KAISER TO-DAY
Vast Number of launch
ings to Mark hide
pendence Day.
MESSAGES TO WORKERS
Wilson's Thanks and En-
couragement Conveyed
by Hurley.

From the shipyards Of all the
American waters today will go forth
Americas Independence Day answer
to the Huns-ships. ships and more
ships, scores of them, $4,000 tons of
defiance, enough ships in one day
to maintain six army divisions. $780,
| 900 men. in France till Germany Is
defeated.
What number of ships will make
the Fourth Of July Grand Splash was
not revealed last night by the Unit
ed States Shipping Board. Whether
1t will be more or less than the
eighty-nine first predicted could not
be learned. That there would be at
least the originally announced ton
mage. however. was admitted.
Total Attained Despite Order.
This tonnage will be attained despite
| the order that was issued by Director
General Schwab, of the Emergency
Fleet Corporation, following protests
that concentration on hull launchings
would delay delivery of completed
ships. That order directed that no
other work be sacrificed for hastened
launchings July Fourth. and that no
| launchings be held back for the big
launching day.
That today's demonstration Of Amer
| ica's achievement In shipbuilding Will
not be a specious one, q merely elabo-
rate flash in the pan, attained at the
sacrifice Of steady production, Is al
ready shown In the record breaking
figures for June. a total Of $50. 400 tons
of ships completed and actually put In
service. There was no holding back
there for the Fourth.
To every shipyard in the country,
Edward N. Hurley, chairman Of the
United States Shipping Board, has
wired verbatim the following letter
from the President, dated June 26:
MY dear Hurley: ! am very glad
to take part in celebrating the
launchings of the Fourth of July and
beg that you will make use Of the
following message: I Join with you
In feeling the greatest pride in the
diligence and skill and devotion which
the men in the shipyards have ex-
hibited IN completing the fleet when
is to be launched on the Fourth of
July, and hope that you will con-
vey to them my congratulations and
my pleasure in feeling that we are
all comrades IN q great cause.
Woodrow wilson
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON,"
Although Director General Schwab
and Vice President Piez. Of the Emer-
gency Fleet. will watch the launch
ings at San Francisco and Oakland,
and Edward N. Hurley, chairman Of
the Shipping Board, will lend his
presence to the celebrations at Chi
cago. the center of celebration tornor-
row viii be at the home OF the Emer-
gency Fleet In Philadelphia
Every launching will be telegraphed
to the feet Offices there. where ar
rangements have been made for quick
distribution of the news to the coun-
try at large and to- the city Of Phila-
delphias which harbors more ship
builders than any other city in the
United States. probably more than any
other city in the world.
HurIey's Message to Yards.
To every shipyard launching a yes-
sci for the Emergency Fleet today
Chairman Hurley has sent the follow
ing telegram:
Our historic launching today Is a
new Declaration Of Independence. It|
Is great Yet IL is only Americas
stride. The big splash viii 20 round
the world. Your yard helped make
1t Your employees are behind Per-
shing's men. behind the faith Of
France, the dogged courage Of Eng
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