The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-20
SCHWAB FORCES
STEEL PRIORITY
FOR SHIP NEEDS
Ne Also Will Move Fleet
Corporation Headquar.
ters to Philadelphia.
TO SPEED WORK BETTER
Navy Takes Second Place,
Army Third and Railways
Fourth in L. s. Orders.
salciai Lss.afcA 10 TrE srN.

Special LestdfcA TO TnE srS.
WASHINGTON. April 1.-Two revolu-
.onary changes IN administration Of the
sapou!ldins programme were brought
about by Charles NJ. Schwab to-day a.
Director General of the Emergency
Flee, Corporation.
After a long conference with leaders
Q. the war industrial programme at the
Council Of National Defence Mr.. Schwab
| 70, absolute priority for the shipyards
4 3. steel deliveries. The sh!pyard needs
are to be put ahead OF those OF the army
and the navy. Mr.. Schwab came out
completely victorious In the steel de-
livery question that has been under dis
eyssion for weeks.
At his urging Chairman Hurley OF the
Shipping Board has issued instructions
for the removal OF the entire stan or
gan.zaton Of tho Emergency Fleet Cor
porat.on from Wa yton to Philadel-
bh!a. Mr. Schwab will make his head
quarters In that city to be in cloeer touch
with a majority OF the shipyafAs. All
o. the Fleet Corporation force except
the administrative offices will be moved.
4 necessitating the transfer Of 1900 en-
ployees from Washington to Philadel-
pha..
Strategic Location.
Mr. schwab wants to be as near the
centre of actual ship construction as
possibie. Fleet Corporation figures show
that 4,5e4.c03 tons Of ships are being
constructed or are contracted for in the
Philadelphia district. This Is practical
AoIA - ~ tSl~ ~A,,nA
gramme. In addition Mr.. Schwab will
be within easier reach Of the New York
district, where a heavy amount Of ton
mage Is being turned out.
The steel question was settled AT q
conference in the Office Of Chairman
Baruch Of the War Industries Board.
The conference was attended by Mr..
Schwab. vice-President Pies Of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation. John
ske!ton Williams, representing the rail-
,oad administration J. Leonard Rep
logic, head Of the steel division Of the
raw material section Of the council. and
Judge E. n. Parker. head Of the priority
committee. Tho War and Navy depart
lnents interested were represented by
.he War Industries members.
TIE feature OF the conference. II was
announced at its c0oe,1sioB. was the
energy and enthusiasm Of Mr.. Schwab
recess!ty Of getting . huge merchant
Aee, as quickly as possible. Mr.. Schwab
told IN detail OF the shipyard needs as
shown by figures prepared by Mr.. Fez
and himself. He was asked by Chair
man Parker Of the Prioritles Board how
many plates he wanted.
Mr.. seAwab's Reply.
AL that can be made" was the in
slant reply The steel building pro-
gramme the Director-Genera said, was
% be pushed to the absolute limit and
plates could well be used to the maxi
mum ability OF the steel mills to pro-
duce He pointed out that the Bethle-
hem plant at Sparrows Point. Nd.
would produce all Of its own plates.
After long discussion II was decided
tha, shipyard needs would be placed
Ant on the priority list. with the as
urance that ship plates and other ma
terials would be taken only as they
Navy needs we're put second on the
priority list. army needs third and the
railroad administration requirements for
rars, locomotives. rails and repairs last
on Government orders.
Mr.. Williams outlined the railroad re-
Guirements and pleaded for the railroad
ar and locomotive building programme.
Il was decided, however. that the COM
pete steel ca. building programme could
not be carried out. This means that
substituted in part on the car construc-
ton programme.
Tho priorities for steel production will
stand IN this order:
Emergency Fleet Corporation. plates
and shapes army. ordnance and shapes
railways, for repairs. locomotive con-
aructon and boiler plate. rails and car
construction.
Improvement In Situation.
Il was developed at the meeting that
ne ship plate situation has greatly i'm
orored recently and that weekly produc-
lion Is on 10000 ton basis. The plate
situation became acute several weeks
ago when work was halted In a number
OF the shpyards for lack Of material.
Al that time the War and Navy de.
n'tments had representatives at the
s'etl yards looking after priorities
railroad car and locomotive contracts
we're held up pending determination OF
me steel question. The order in which
government interests are to be served
was no, fxed until Mr.. Schwab got OH
The job to-day.
Announcement OF the moving Of the
emergency Fleet Corporation was made
uy Chairman Hurley this afternoon In
me following statement:
1t is obviously the part Of wisdom
70 or.ng the directing mind and guidins
hahd OF the construction programme into
eose and permanent touch with the
sc'usl work going on In the shipyards
NeaI!y 30 per cent Of the work now in
psogIess Is within a short radius OF
SNAadelph.a, and there the principal of.
nee OF the director general OF the Emer.
nehcy Fleet Corporation will be located
ne VIII have ample quarters, and the
heads OF departments with their clerica
NAHs who are identified with the con.
ss.uction work will he transferred from
Warrington to Philadelphia.
=, Mr.. Schwab desires this and Is con.
auent that II will bring about a Ereat
SucSening In the progress Of the work
" VIII permit a prompter solution oi
~ practical problems as they arise, and
addition by his proximity to the scene
" actual operations he can maintain
,ons'an'ly his appeal for tbs greatest
oepree oc cooperation and effort on tht
part o. our building forces"
Tbs move will bring further conges.
non IN difficult housing situation n,
Sh.adelphia, but II will bring soms
'e.!et ~ Washington. The housing
l. Continued on Tkhd Pa0e