The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-28

saw the 3t3ulstcOnck as Sne Shppe' gracefully,into the Delaware.
 l had seen so many vessels as the,
 glided off the ways into the water
 from the various shipbuilding plant.
 to sense the full significance of wha
 was seeing taking place before my
 eyes at Hog Island.
 True, it was record breaking lcrowd, for more chan 1Oo, 900 had gath tered to witness the launching of the IQuistconck, the first of the fleet of within a twelvemonta.
 Could it be done? The American In- tternational Shipbuilding corporation says it not only could but would be idone, and has made preparations on a scale to accomplish the heretofore inn possible, and showed to Germany that
 an aroused industrial America was not I to be despised.
 Get this momentous fact and you Twill better understand how America
 set the pace and astonished the world
 in it's shipbuilding programme. The launching of the Qustconck marked 1the passing of Hog Island from a con structive undertaking like the Panama canal, rushed forward at top speed, to a manufacturing plant like great To- comotive works, to be operated at it's full capacity for the manufacture of ships.
 | Here Is the big idea which made lpowerless the submarines and navy of lGermany. Heretofore ships have been built-not manufactured. From now on ships will be manufactured in quan- ltity, and Hog Island with it's physical layout of the 50 shipways and of the hitting out basins that will permit 2s 1vessels being equipped simultaneously, Twill give the maximum of speed and efficiency nowhere else duplicated. The fact that ships are being manu factured instead of built means much to the Birmingham district, for ground was broken here recently for work on the steel fabricating plant whose busi- ness 1t will be to make the plates for ships. I joy in the fact that it is an |old Birmingham boy, 3~friend of mine in the old days when the town was lyoung-President Leon Brittain-who brings the new industry to his old nome town.'
 But back to the mammoth Hog Island yards. The general plan of the Hog Island ship assembling proposition consists in mobflizing the production of the steel fabricating plants of the coun- try for the purpose of providing parts made according to plans and specii- cations that will fit when delivered to the point of the tool. In undertaking such daring thing, American democ- racy showed German autocracy that an aroused democracy can beat a machine made autocracy in the war game.
 
 Charley Schwab was one of the hap piest men at the launching. 1t was q lsweltering day, for the, hospital staff handled over 400 cases of heat prostra- tion, but fortunately without any deaths being recorded. MT. Schwab had left his stiff hat at home and wore a Panama, and like the good sport he is. found the coolest spot on the island under the shipway at the bow of the Quistconck- for 1t was a sweltering day--where he and Admiral Bowles, With peeled coats. took in the situation.
 Hundreds of persons of prominence iii national, state and city affairs were thousands of miles to be present at Hog Islands first contribution to Uncle Sam's mighty fleet vf ships which was to have part in helping England wipe the navies of the central powers off the seas and be ready to bring to the United States it's part of the worlds commerce after peace is won.
 The occasion was honored by the presence of the commander-in- chief of the army and navy. and graced by the ] presence of the first lady in the land, l who christened it. It was MT. Hurley | who said: Nc mere incident in na- tions shipbuilding programme that | brought President and Mrs. Wilson to the scene of the achievement It was | the beginning of an epoch in the na- uons history"
 ' Charley Schwab got people every where talking ships, iii stores, in shops, ! in offices on street corners. When he | looked on the great crowd at the | was full to overflowing. and he testi- | fled that it was the most wonderful and | inspiring sight that he had ever seen | in his eventful life. No wonder that he | was filled with pride then, and that now his joy is great, for. the German navy is no longer a menace.
 The men who worked on the Quist- conck. and those who are working on other ships in the shipbuiNing plants | throughout the country, are makers of | a new America. They may we'll take pride in the fact that-they did their full share in equipping Uncle Sam in his job of licking the Kaiser Back of the workers are an enthusiastic people [ who applaud the hearty way in which they did their task.