The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-22

I contained conSiceraole ADVERSE CEiu
tcisn of the American international
ShipbuiIding corporation which is con
structing government ships on hog
island The work is being done by
Stone & Webster, managers of the
keokuk water power. and for tnat rea'
Ison. has caused personal interest in
this city. George ]. Baldwin. one OF
the executive officers OF the Shipo1ii6
ing CORPORATION, gave an address be
Ifore the Philadelphis Chamber OF
Commerce In which he presented the
work that had already been sccomp-
lnshed and what was 10 be performed.
The striking statement he made was
thai the company was on schedule
trfrne with It's work. When one takes
Into consideration the extraordinary
jcondirions % weather, transportation.
!etc-. the achievement is remarkable.
Mr.. Bsldwin's address follows, as does
he supporting statement by Rear Ad'
miral Bowles, and Gate City readers
viii be interested 10 learn from men
in charge just what has actually been
accomplished:
| I'VE are up 10 our schedule and we
viii complete the $50 ships in the
time originally expected" said George
| J. Baldwin, one Of the executive Of
ffce-s of the American International
Sh;pbuildiag corporation, in an ad-
dress 10 several hundred business
men, members OF the Philadelphia
Chamber OF Commece. on February 8.
1t was the first official statement
made by the company in regard to the
conditions at Hog Island and Mr..
Baldwin was supported by Rear Ad-
mirsl Francis T. BowIes. who follow
ed Mr. Baldwin. and said:
There has been lot of criticism
of the conduct of the Hog Island
yard. and all of il is most unfortu-
nate at this time Some OF it is true.
but most of II Is unjust. This
know from personal investigation. In
the part that is true. / know the OF
ncials OF the corporation will join
me in Graduating any conditions
that should not exist
We have got to get behind The
companies engaged in the work, and
make them successful in this gigantic
undertaking.
Mr. Baldwin said, in part:
1t is impossible for the public
mind as yet To grasp the size of the
task confronting Emergency Fleet
corporation, nor the vast readjust-
ments OF national industries and the
many changes OF occupation which
have been forced upon millions OF
cur people by the war.
We are passing through a period
OF both reasonable and unreasoning
criticism OF almost all OF our great
lines Of war effort. The shipping
board Is criticised for not having
produced more ships; the railroads
are denounced for not transport ting
our freight more efficiently; our great
corporations are held up 10 scorn as
profitears; many OF the departments
Of government are under fire, ctarg
ed with inefHciency and inadequate
Our own corporation is though.
By some TO be extravagant in its ship
building methods and producing ships
TOO slowly. A wave OF hysteria seems
TO be temporarily clouding the calm
sr Judgment of ordinary times, but
all OF these things are temporary and
viii pass away as the country stead
les itself in a definite and effective
upon the work before
Owing 10 conditions familiar to
all OF you it was not until September
L3 that Emergency Fleet corpora
ion MAS able TO finally instruct Us
% proceed. This unfortunate delay
Is the primary cause Of many Of the
and is the definite reason
or the large cost OF the work
IAN OF those familiar with con-
'tructton tasks realize the impos-
sibirty o, obtaining in a time OF uni |
-ersa disoT ga1izaEion OF every indus /
y both great speed and that stand /
nd OF costs attsina0le IN normal !
ines. We NUS elect between them. I
>ur instructions urged upon Us the l
Utmost speed, which cannot be secui |
d without great cost We were told /
hat speed, not cost, was the essence 1
4 the contract, that we must build 1
hips Go eaTe the na-ton. and not save /
money 20 tatten our pociietbooks-
Let Us look Tor q moment at the
ask ahead o. Us OF September IS,
81. American International Ship
ufiding corporation had undertaken
fifty liz knot 1900 ton
pom October % was awarded q sec
nd CONTRACT 70 build seventy Is
not 5000 ton combined transport.
nd freight vessels, each $50 feet
ing. Also II was to build q shipyard
utabIe for the construction Of not
so than 200 vessels in which the
ufIding Of ships might continue as
ing Is necessary On a scale and al
speed never before attempted.
1T In Impossible 70 estimate the
ost Of the building OF such ship
ard, conducted under It's many IN L
erenr difficulties, but we believe thai
le original estimate submitted last
une of approximately 1900. 600 for
le yard, which was concurred in by
,e best Judgment OF the officers OF
Emergency Fleet corporation and the
aginee-E OF American International
corporation, would have
sen sufficient II the work could have
zen comm enced at that time and as
zen contemplated Difficulties in
ansportatioa and labor which could
d be toreseen and the all-important
ct that postpon emsnt in starting
ie work made r. necessary to per-
III the heavy part OF il during nost
we're winter weather will very ma