The Washington herald., 1918-04-19
SCHWAB TAKES
DIRECTION OF
SHIP PROGRAM
New General of Construc-
ton Arrives and Assumes
Control of Work.
REMAINS STEEL HEAD
Plans Personal Inspection
of Government Yards
as First Effort.

Charles NJ. Schwab got on the
Job yesterday as director general
of shipbuilding.
Everything that is in me I'm
going to give to this thing" he
said in the office of Edward n.
Hurley, chairman of the Shipping
Board. at is everyone's duty to
help. l am not talking the flip
pant patriotism that so many talk.
mean it. l don't know what l
can do, but l am filled with pep
and optimism and I'm going to
do my best. I'm going to build
ships. I'm not a politician and l
don't know diplomacy. but I'm
going to do the work"
Outside Man.
Charlie" Schwab-a former Iaborer
and a man who came up from the
ranks-is going to carry the gospel of
praise and encouragement to the work
ers in every shipyard in the country.
He believes that this doctrine will PIT
over" the shipbuilding program. and
for this reason he has designated him
self an outside man."
I'm a field man." he said. Il tcId
Mr.. Hurley and the board that was
my only value, and that's all 1 pre-
tend to be. I'm a great believer in the
fact that a leaders chief province IS
t.,
into the people working for him. One
of the first things 1 will do is to tour
the shipyards OF the Atlantic Goa st.
Ny real usefulness will be at the yards
for only with his own people in his
own way can a man give his pest
efforts"
ERthusIastie Worker.
Mr.. Schwab was enthusiastic
about the work already accomplish
ed by Mr.. Hurley and Charles Piez,
vice president of the Emergency
Fleet Corporation.
Their success" he said, has
been prodigious- They have laid the
foundation and the preliminary
work has been well done. We
should remember that new enter
prises started BY new people must
necessarily go slow until they
learn"
Throughout his twenty-minute
chat with newspaper correspond
ents Mr.. Schwab kept up a running
string Of anecdotes. illustrating the
different points made by him.
Were willing to take orders
from Mr.. Schwab," said Mr.. Hur-
ley, when a question arose concern
ing the formers authority.
''Oh, no." replied the steel mag
nate. mo one will get orders from
me. Ineyer issue them. l rely on
the men to see the right thing
done"
The new director general as yet
mas not chosen any of his sTOordi-
mates. but 1t Is believed his office
will be established in Philadelphia
He will not stay in Washington for
any length of time.
ships are not built in Washing
ton" was Mr.. Hurley's comment.
Another thing made plain by Mr.
Schwab was that no member of the
Schwab family or any other family
related to it will work for him.
Gives sugEestIons.
Mr.. schwab, according to Mr.. Hur-
ley. gave a number OF suggestions
to the Shipping Board yesterday,
which will be carried into effect as
soon as possible While the natrue
Of these was not revealed by the
chairman, IT is believed they con-
cern policies regarding the construc-
tion Of vessels so they may be adapt
able for passenger service after the
war, and also means for producing
additional tonnage. Mr.. Schwab will
center all of his efforts in steel con-
struction and therefore will have lit
tie IL anything to do with concrete
construction.
Mr.. SehWab il vested with unIim-
fted authority to do whatever he
wants to do to aid the shipping pro-
gram.
THE man who Is given great au-
thority rarely takes it," he said
ITS the fellow who fears his ability
that Is the one to want IT. OF
course in this position I win have
to have il. but I won't have to
use it."