Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-23
HOG ISLAND WAGE
SCALE WILL STAY
Yard at Peak Soon, Brush
Says on Saccarappa
Trial
SEES ROUT OF CRITICS
New President Predicts Most
Bitter Enemies Will Soon
Be Cheering

Combating weather conditions that
scarcely could have been less favorable
the 75O0-ton cargo steamship Sacca-
Kappa. third vessel to be completed at
the Hog Island shIpyard. made a short
but successful trial run down the Della
ware River yesterday 1t will be dellv-
cred to the shipping board this week.
Held up a short distance beyond Fort
Delaware, about forty miles from PhIla-
delphia by a dense fog and rainstorm
that stopped river traffic all yesterday
Afternoon and last night, the Saccarappa 8
temporary master, Captain l.. II. Porter.
decided It was unsafe to venture far
ther and anchored his vessel At 1890
this morning, however, he was able to
go out the Capes for a twelve-hour run
at sea.
A possible disaster was narrowly
averted by the skilfuIl handling of the
ship by Captain Porter. When two
hours out from Hog Island the British
steamship Delaware. with its anchors
dragging under the influence OF a strong
tide and lying broadside across the chan.
mel, suddenly loomed up out of the mist,
hundred yards distant
The Saccarappa was making about
ten knots and quick action was nee
essary to avoid collision, but Captain
Porter made It under the prompt re-
sponse of the vessel to the wheel. and
the Saccarappa came TO a standstill,
broadside on. only few feet from the
steamer Delaware. A delay of a half
hour followed. due TO an air bubble form
ing in the steering transmission system
han. ~. u
upon the Saccarappa's turbines There
were no other mishaps of any kind.
Four score persons were the guests
NJ the American International Ship
building Company, agents Of the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation in the construc-
ton and operation Of Hog Island. who
were specially invited on the run by
Matthew c. Brush, newly elected presi-
dent of the company, ito see for them
selves that Hog Island can really l,uild
seaworthy ships" Other prominent Off
Cals on board, besides Mr.. Brush, were
F.. W. Wood. vice president: w. II.
Blood, Jr, assistant TO the president
II. c. Higgins, official representative OF
Rear Admiral F. T. Bowles, assistant
general mana ger Of the fleet corporation,
and Commander Allen, of the navy, who
will command the vessel when. II Is
turned over to the Navy Department by
the shipping board. Included in the
party were ten newspaper men from
Philadelphia and New York
1t was Mr.. Brush's original plan TO
take his party as far IS Cape May on
the saccarappa. but when the fog ended
the days run. they we're transferred TO
the A. T. s. c. Tug No. ! and landed
at Newcastle, DEL returning TO the city
last night b. train.
Since the Quistconck was launched.
the Hog Island management has made
II a policy to have every hull 80 per
cent complete before II leaves the ways.
Labor conditions in the great shipyard
at the present time are sat i6factory.
according TO Mr.. Brush. who took up his
duties as president OF the agency cor
poration only last Wednesday. succeed
ing Frederick Holbrook. There are a.
900 steadily employed. yet the yard
could readily absorb 5000 additional
workmen. he said, or the rumbr" re-
auired 30 per cent should he experienced
shipbullders. and the rest ordinary la
borers Skilled steel workers released
from munitions plants can readily find
employment there.
Asked what assurances are heins
given the yards employees as to the
maintenance OF the existing scales of
wages for the several classes OF labor
used, Mr. Brush said:
I'VE are adhering strictly to the scale
laid down by the Macy labor adjustment
board. and we will not depart from that, "
The Macy board fixes the wages of
shipbuilders In yards throughout the
country and recently granted con-
siderable increase to certain classes OF
labor. For example. skilled riveters
are now being paid so cents an hour
Overtime has been. abolished. however
Shipments OF necessary materials 10
the yard are improving steadily. Mr..
Brush asserted. and this situation has
contributed appreclabiy TO the general
speeding up We will soon reach the
peak OF our producing capacity" he
declared. "'rhe time is' not far off when
those who have been most bitter in criti-
cism Of the enterprise Will be ready 10
stand on the sidelines and cheer"