New-York tribune., 1918-02-06
Wilson Confers
With Hurley ON
Ship Problem
LEY Tie Assoolaled Pre-


WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-president
Wilson personally took up the shipping
problem tonight, and at conference
with Chairman Hurley Of the Shipping
Board went into the question Of pro-
curing tonnage for the movement of
American troops and supplies overseas.
Every phase OF the situation was dis
cusscd, including the progress of the
government building programme, plans
for obtaining Allied ships for transport
ing soldiers and negotiations with the
European neutrals for tonnage to re-
lease American vessels for transatan-
tic service. Mr.. Wilson was particu-
larly interested in the proposal to OBJ
tain additional ships by reducing i'm
ports, probably half.
full realization of the extent to
which Americas troop movement to
France depends on tonnage has come
not only to this government, but also
to the Allies, and it was indicated to-
day that one OF the chief topics of dis
cussion at the recent session Of the
Supreme War Council at Versailles was
that of finding ships for that purpose.
A big American army is substantially
ready to go, but before it is sent the
War Department wants to be assured
it can be supplied. Ships are available
to transport the men. The problem is
Keeping them furnished with materials
they need.
L. S. Requirements Abroad
\ million men on the lighting front
wiil require. according to the best es-
tlmatcs available, from four to seven
million tons of shipping in continuous
service across the three thousand
miles Of water between America and
Europe. The United States can lay its
hands on about four million tons now,
snd expects to build during the year
anywhere from three to six million
additional tons.
While Chairman Hurley was prcpar-
ing complete report ON the shipping
situation for the President to-day Civil
Engineer Frederick r. Harris, o1' the
naval bureau of yards and docks. who
tor three weeks was general manager
OF the Emergency Fleet Corporation
was giving Senate Investigating com
mittee an optimistic view OF shipbuld-
ing progress. 1t is possible. Mr.. Harris
said, for the government to complete
this year its original programme Of
100000 tons Of constructions.
The President was told by Mr.. Hur-
ley that bad weather in january cut
reconstruction Of commandeered ships
fully 80 per cent. The Shipping Boards
plans for building up great shiDyard
workers reserve and for obtaining
more work out Of shipyard labor were
outlined. Recruiting for the reserve is
progressing we'll. and speakers are
starting out to visit the yards to ap-
peal to the men to do their best as a
patriotic duty.
The plan to cut imports from South
America and the Orient to release
ships for transporting troops and sup
plios has been worked out at the Ship
pine Board. The class OF imports to be
reduced rill be left largely to the War
Trade Board. which is in control Of
both imports and exports. The Ship
ping Board will advise the trade board
as to the number Of neutral vessels
and American and French sailing ships
available to put in the trades. and the
trade board will determine what thev
shall carry.
British Ships Turned Over
There has been no announcement as
70 The amount OF tonnage the Allies
are ready to spare Tor moving the
American forces and their supplies Al
-'asdy the British have turned oyes