Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-06
BAD WEATHER CUTS
SHIP CONSTRUCTION
. FULLY 60 PER CENT
British Have Turned Over
Some Vessels to Trans
port Our Troops.
AMERICAN UNITS MAY
BE SENT TO FLANDERS
Congestion at Ports in France
Responsible for Sug-
gestion.
WILL HASTEN PREPARATION
Project Would Also Release Haig's
Men TO First Lines-ArtiiIcry
illustrates Attack.
AMERICAN UNITS MAY
BE SENT TO FLANDERS

IHv Associated Prcss.

WASHINGTON. February 5.--Prcsi-
dent Wilson took up personally the
shipping problem to-nish, and. at =
conference with Chairman Hurley OF
the shipping Board. went into the great
problem of procuring tonnage for the
movement OF American troops and sup
plies overseas.
Every phase OF the question was dis
cusscd. including tho progress OF the
, government building program. plans
for obtaining allied ships for transport
ing soldiers and negotiations with to.
European ncutrals for tonnage TO re-
lease American vessels for transatlan-
tic service. The President was par
ticulariy interested in the proposal to
obtain additional ships by reducing
imports probably onc-half.
y full realization OF the extent TO
which Americas troop movement to
Franco depends on tonnage has COME
no, only to this government. but to
the allies as we'll, and IT, was indicated
to-day that one of the chief topics at
tho recent session OF tho supreme war
council at Versailles was that OF. find
ing ships for that purpose. a big
American army is substantially ready
TO go, hut before ii is sent the War
Department wants TO be assured 1t can
be supplied. ships are available to
transport tho mon; the problem is keep
inS them furnished with materials with
which 10 fight.
WILL REQUIRE FROM 4,OOO.OOO to
1.o0O.OH0 Tons 'rO SUPPLY ARMY
y million non on the lighting front
Will require. according to the best csti-
mates available, from 100000 TO
Zoo. 900 tons OF shipping in continuous
service across tho 1000 miles of water
between America and Europe Tho
United States can lay its hands on
about 5000. 600 tons now. and expects
TO build during tho year anywhere
from 100000 10 5000, 900 tons more
While Chairman Hurley is preparing
for the President to-day a complete re-
port on the shipping situation, Civil
Engineer Frederick r. Harris. OF tho
naval bureau of yards and docks who
for three weeks was general manager
Of the Emergency Fleet Corporation,
was giving a Senate investigating COM
miitec an optimistic view OF shipbuild-
in: progress. 1t is possible. Mr.. Harris
said, for the government TO complete
this year it's original program Of
The President was told by Mr. Hurley
tina; bad weather in January cut con-
struction of Communicated ships fully
50 per cent The Shipping Boards
plans for building UT n great shipyard
workers reserve and for obtaining
moro work out OF shipyard labor III
present engaged were outlined. Re
cruiting for the reserve is progressing
wrl1 20
visit ;ho yards to appeal to the men
TO 10 their best as a patriotic duty
There has been announcement az
TO the amoun, of tonnage the allies
arc ready to spare for moving the
American forces and their supplies AZ
ready the British have turned over
some ships for the purpose. and arc
preparing TO release others.
BLISS CONSIDERS SENDING
AMERICANS TO FLANDERS
In view of the difficulty in nndin-
ships to put american lighting power
in France General Bliss representing
the United states at the military scs-
s!ons ot the supreme war council. Il
considerin with British officials the
advisabiiity of starting a flow OF Amer
lean battalons through the British
training system to front-linc trenches
i'll Flanders
This project. il was learned to-day
has been talked over In various form.
one of tho concrete proposals being
that 100 battalions be assigned for
such training.
Congestion at the American debark.
alton ports in France lies back Of the
suggestion. By divertiuS certain units
20 British ports. passing them through
the British systeI, and hnally trans
ferrinS them TO General Pcrshlngs
army. it has been urged that q consd-
erablc body OF men could be trained
and put on the lighting line. who other
wise could not be sent forward for
months.
Ii the project suggested is carried
out, American units would DC passcd
through the British training system
from receiving camps 10 finishing
coWscs in front line trenches. draw
ing supplies and equipment from Brit
ish sources un,!! graduate bat,aiions