Evening journal., 1918-03-25
One Sure Way of Losing The War
And Our Business Executives Hold the Power That Can Prevent m
Fu6Iment Says Edward A. Flene, Chairman Of the War
Shipping Committee of the United States
Chamber Of Commerce.

WASHINGTON. March g5.--The key
10 the whole ship question is that the
business men Of Tho country must
know the need Tor ships and that they
they be organized 30 force and further
the building ~ ships; and that they
Become. when so organized ihe me-
dium through which things win get
done ia their several communities. n
fhe statement made today by Edward A.
Filcne chairman OF the War shipping
Committee Of tho United States Cham
Der Of Commerce.
There can be no question OF their
willingness 20 lolp. The most lnsisient
inquiry That comes to Washington Is
How can ] help? What can ! do2
Show me the way
The answer comes from the War
Shipping Committee Of The Chamber Of
Commerce Of the United states. 10
calls on every business organization
in the country particularly the or
ganizations In shlpbuilding commun-
ties-to organize for the carrying out
Of a well-dcnncd program for local &C.
ton
Il calls on them to sit in with the
shlphuilders once a week, and actually
80 over their problems, 10 tlnd out just
how they can help II Is not at all
The same thing as making a general
Ihlanket offer 90 help. and then sitting
back 20 await the call. That has been
fried and 70 has failed. The need is
FOR active and continued counsel
ihroug, which The business men Of
ihe community seek. without ofilcious
I.Nn a.. fs..ff NhT ohfrthtfiINnH
of as many OF his nOn-technlcsl prob
lems as he needs to be relieved Of.
For example, the traffic expert OF n
business association can be OF great
assistance 10 shipbuilders In getting
materials for their work II he be free
70 give such help and makes 80 his
first duty TO Go so.
Of capital importance also Is the ques-
ton OF carryins wurkmen 20 and from
their work The car lines in many com
nunitiss sFe unable 20 meet the extra
load which the influx Of thousands Of
workers hes put upon ihem. Some COM
munltles have had 90 solve the prob
lem by changing The locs business
schedule by opening stores and Office,
a half hour later in order 20 haVf iwC
two peak loads and so give the work
men O rush hour Of their own eacf
morning
Il may even mean that tho local bust
ness organization must requisition M
services of owners of private auiomo
bilcs 20 carry men 90 aud from 'hoi
work Think % the opportunity ihrr
FOR the shipbullding community who's
business men aro orrlnizcd fOr action
Think Of what 10 would mean if 900
were regularly done: and III ilc work
III aH q
of hundreds Of automobiles. from iiiN
ers to ihe fnest made. waiting 60 carr
them. at considerae,s sacrifice and in
c0nyenlencc. So that they might q
their work for the nation io The De.
ade8ftace Can one imagine sue
v0rkmen striking, or delaying snips, d
reiusing 10 adjust their difference
with their employers through csial
iished b05rds 0f arbitration?
The housing problem is one Of m
-aoet serious we have 20 fare Cantor
<nts and houses Will bc built Tf
government has just appropriated SQ
'oOOO0 Cor chat purpose But they wi
-iel be ready in less than sly months
and we cannot wait Hcer 9-ain. n
organized business mon of Che comm
nifty must solve Che local problem. aI
they must see TO ii That Tho citizens
heir community, reGardless of quc
iions o. personal convenience, shall ill
ihese workmcn into their private h0m
until other accommodations are read
Care could be taken. of course.
make careful choice 0f the richt m
sor The right home Indlscrlmnsle d
fribufion Of men through an classes
homes would be unnecessary. But
FACT remains that the thing must
done. whether or no, and done al on
ryery shipbuildng community shot
adont o definite policy OF rccogniii
in ms relations with ihe ship wofke
The contribution Of private automobl
i one phase OF that Another m
ba found In a plan which is r0w bel
worked on by the War shipping Co
m,iiee. PROVIDING that ship worke
,vear.nc the 0flcial ship workers bad
be admitted 10 moving picture silo'
and other piaces of amusement at
is5iis-=i f.ii.if--s ~ admission. y g =
merely question 0f difference IN pri
Do IS The clear Implication that "a
with n that fhe community honors Q
appreciates ere ship workers as
honors and appreciates The soldier NJ
of course theee are other ways
which su ecognition can be given
The chamber Of Commerce OF
Unite Estates. Tor instance has issu
special bronze badge for ship wor
nrs which has been ofilciaily approx
hv Tic Shippine Board These bade
are a mark o. honor; and lhey are
sued under rigidly prescribed CON
iions. II man leaves ihe yaVds.
srrr endsrs his h9dse. II he remains
ihe work iil the end. i f. bis for
llme. The idea OF the badge has ial