The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-12
WAR INDUSTRIES TO
REACH PEACE BASIS
Contracts Are Cut, but Read
justment Will Come With
out Disturbance.
SHIPS THE GREAT NEED
Government Appoints Board
to Help Settle Issues on
Unfinished Work.
SHIPS THE GREAT NEED

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.--Rapid steps to
shut down the war machine and turn the
nation back to a peace basis were taken
by officials here to-day. following the
signing OF the armistice.
Munition and other huge contracts are
to be shut or. Chairman Baruch of the
War Industries Board. in a public an
nouncernent, called attention to the fact
that administrative machinery to ac-
complish this end was already In mo-
ton.
Overtime and Sunday work in all Of
the shipyards of the country was halted
under orders issued by Chairman Hurley
Of tae Shipping Board.
Ships taken from commerce on tLe
Pacific and in the South American trade.
but few days ago, were turned back.
Ships hauling raw materials for the
war progr. NINE already have received
orders that will convert them to the COM
merce OF peace.
Shipment OF munition stores to France
was abruptly halted.
Back to Peace Conditions.
Orders are going out reconverting in
dustrial plants from the war to peace
programme. Statesmen already are. out
for some OF the concerns soliciting orders
, for domestic peace production.
Despite this rapid movement officials
on every hand are confident that the
transition will be made as easily and
| with. loss disturbance to economic condi-
| tons throughout the country than was
occasioned by war conversion. State
| ments to this effect are soberly made In
| the face OF this nations historic achieve
| ment In creating a great military ma
| chine almost over night with little dis
turbance to the economic structure.
Women in industry are to remain.
They are trained and highly efficient.
] and according to the testimony OF more
| than one war board chief, have per-
| m nently won their places.
With production sustained In all OF
the industries, and demands for manu.
| features and American raw materials
| certain. officials point out that peace
and rehabilitation will not bring an
oversupply of labor.
! Room for All Labor.
| Transportation demands and those
coming from industry that was cu--
tailed will more than care for the labor
freed By rehabilitation, II Is believed
AS consequence labor shortage will be
prolonged, wages will be sustained and
reimbursement will come slowly.
i
cord stated to-day that the shipping
and shipyard needs alone will more thar
take up any slack in the labor situation
In the country and will Offset the EN-.
plovment OF women
American ships and American ship.
yards form a new war industry, he said
which will employ 10000 men. II pro
vides just that many more Jobs thar
we're available in the United States wher
var VS. declared.
Further than this the Shipping Boart
chairman pointed out that the shipya. d
II the nation will Immediately begii
to draw skilled men from the war In
fustries Wherever they are available
Two hundred thousand men. in addition
o the 100000 now employed. are needle,
the shipyards.
During the war emergency the ship
yards. under Shipping Board direction
} have been schooling ard training labor
ers as mechanics. Thsi policy is TO b
Immediately stopped The 200, 900 me,
needed will be drawn from the war in
dustries In which they will be release
nd from men relieved from militar
service.
The new American merchant marin,
: chairman Hurley said. is creating
constant demand for more men to ma
American ships. The Shipping Boar
Is operating twelve training vessel!
There are upward of 100000 men O
ships to-day under Shipping Boar
operation. New ships are being con
nissioned at the rate of three da!
each needing officers and crew.
I. Needs OF Merchant Marine.
There has been a decided shortage {
available men, and the situation will M
! be eased. In Mr.. Hurley's opinion, unit
naval rehabilitation starts, when me
who are released from the navy will m
ready opportunity to follow a seafarin
q 'ife at coed pay.
j, The American ShipbuildinE programn
IS to be pushed forward. In this regar
r Chairman Hurley pointed out that Apr,
s pria lions and authorizations carrying U
. % 1890 are available to the board.
a The shipbuilding programme will n,
= ne slowed down by stopping Sunday ar
,vertlme work, in MIR. Hurley's opino
= On the other hand, there will be, he b.
ieves, a vast increase in efficienC
through the bringing In OF highly skill,
e men, through a lessened turnover bett
organization and greater individual pr
auction. The cutting of Sunday ar
overtime work will bring immediate eco
y my In shipbuilding, as will the great
" fficiency expected. making a conside
:, able cut in building costs.
IL Though the wars end came soon
!. than was anticipated and just when 4
d American shipbuildlng industry was &c
ting into available tonnage to meet
= needs. 1000, 900 men In France, 1t is
Is clared, can be brought back home mo
rapidly than they were sent over, II SUI
ss a course Is wise, practical or expedient
y This can be accomplished without Z
II aid of the large British and French to
Is mage available in transporting the NJ
y. to France.
10 This country has forty-fve big tran
ie ports and many smaller ones availat
lie for transport service. Each continge
is brought home will lessen the demand
r the other side for supplies.
n. Ship operation, Chairman Hurley sa
will Increase at least 20 per cent.
10 efficiency by the end OF hostilities. Co
70 voys will not be necessary, and ca
e. ship can sail as It loads without waitir
le Many American ships are to be INN