The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-09
SUMTER s. G., SATURDAY FEBRUARY Io7e
MORE SHIPS NEEDED.
ARMY READY TO GO WHEN
SHIPS REPORT.
War Department Wants Assurance
That Soldiers VIII be Furnished
With Material With Which to
Fight When They Arrive in France.

Washington. Feb. 5.--President
Wilson took up personally the ship
ping problem tonight and at a con-
ference with Chairman Hurley of the
shipping board. went into the great
problem Of procuring tonnage for the
movement Of American troops and
supplies overseas.
Every phase OF the question was
discussed. including the progress of
the government building program,
plans for obtaining allied ships for
transporting soldiers, and negotiat-
tions with the European neutrals for
tonnage to release American vessels
for transatlantic service. The presi-
dent was particularly interested in
proposal to obtain additional ships
by reducing imports.
A full realization Of the extent to
which Americas troops movement to
France depends on tonnage has come
not only to this government but to the
allies as well, and it was indicated to-
day that one Of the chief topics at the
recent session of the supreme war
council at Versailles was that of find
ing ships for that purpose. A big
American army is substantially ready
to go, but before it. is sent the wal.
department wants to be assured il
can be supplied. Ships are available
to transport the men; the problem
Is keeping them furnished with ma
terials with which to fight.
A million men on the fghting
front will require. according to the
best estimates available, from 1000.
600 to 100000 tons Of shipping in
continuous service across the 5000
miles of water between America and
Europe. The United States can Law
It's hands on about 100000 tons
now and expects to build during the
year anywhere from 5000, 900 to g.
10000 tons more.
While Chairman Hurley was pre-
pairing for the--~president today a
complete report on the shipping sit
uation Frederick r. Harris, a civil
engineer Of the naval bureau Of yards
and docks, who for three weeks was
general manager Of the Emergency
Fleet Corporation, was giving a sen
ate investigating committee an opti-
mistice view of shipbuilding progress
1t IS possible. Mr.. Harris said, for the
government to complete this year its
original program Of 100000 tons.
The president was told by Mr.. Hur-
ley that bad weather in January cut
construction of commandeered ships
fully 60 per cent. The shipping
boards plans for building up a great
shipyard workers reserve were out
lined. Recruiting for the reserve is
progressing.
The plan to reduce imports from
South America and the Orient to re.
lease ships for transporting troops
and supplies has been worked out
the shipping board. The class q
imports to be affected will be left
largely to the war trade board.
The shipping board will advise the
board as to the number of neutra,
ships possible to put in the trade and
the trade board will determine what
they shall carry.
There has been no announcement,
as to the amount of tonnage the AL
lies are ready to spare for mov,rc
the American forces and their sun
pies. Already the British have turn-
ed over some ships for the n,rnoso
and are preparing to release others
The Versailles war council took I'm
the subject Of what shall be the hal
ance maintained as between the ship
meht or troops and their supplies and
the transportation Of goods needed Inv
the allied armies and the Euronoar
civilian populations. Reports to Wash
inston indicate that the policy will be
10 employ as much tonnage in the
movement of the American forces and
materials for their use as can ho
spared from it's previous runs with
out endangering the allied food SUD-
ply.
In his testimony before the SENATE
committee Mr.. Harris said the esti-
mate Of a maximum Of 5000 0Oo t,r.
or American ship production this year
made last week by j. w. Powell vico
president of Bethlehem Ship Build |
ing Corporation. was pressimistic and
that he believed tho Fabricated -,