New-York tribune., 1918-04-17
Schwab Put
In Charge of
Shipbuilding
Steel Maker Named Di-
rector General of Fleet
Corporation
Gets Wide Power
Over Construction
Arrangements Being Made
to Speed Up Marine
Programme
IStdG Correspondence


WASHINGTON, April 16.-Charles
n. Schwab, chairman Of the board of
directors of the Bethlehem Steel Com.
rany. to-day was appointed by the
Shipping Board to be director general
of the Emergency Fleet Corporation,
with complete supervision and dircc-
ton Of the work of shipbuilding.
Edward n. Hurley, chairman of the
Shipping Board. announced the ap.
rolntmcnt after a conference at the
White House, where President Wilson
urged Mr.. Schwab to take the place.
Mr.. SchWab agreed to accept on con-
dltlon that wide authority over the
production programme be given to him.
When assured by Chairman Hurley
and General Manager Piez that he
should have this authority, and at
the request of4a the President, Mr..
schwab permitted the Shipping Board
to mako the following announcements:
"Charles Picz, vicc-presidcnt Of the
Emergency Corporation. has recon-
mendcd that the post Of general man
ager of the corporation be at once
abolished, SO that Mr.. Schwab, as di-
rector general, should be wholly un-
hampered in carrying out the large
task intrusted to him. Mr.. Piez.
since the retirement of Admiral Har-
ris, has been filling both the position
of vice president and that of general
manager.
Will Direct Shipbuilding
"Mr. Schwab will have complete
supervision and direction of the work
of shipbuilding. He agreed to take
up this work at the sacrifice Of his
personal wishes in the matter. Ills
services were virtually commandecred.
HIS great experience as steeImaker
and builder of ships has been drafted
for the nation
Az the conference the present status !,
of the shpbuildlng programme was /
discussed in great detail. Chairman
Hurley emphasized the vastness of the
programme Of construction work in the .
1870 yards now III operation, pro-
grammc, he saic, shat requires that !
the Fleet Corporations organization
throughout the country be reinforced. !
Mr. Schwab was told that he was the
man to undertake to supply this rein
torcemon..
The rapid development and expansion
Of the shirbuioing programme has
made it plain to officials of the Ship
ping Board for the last several weeks
one man with full responsibility for
the production phases Of the work. 1t
is understood that General Manager
Piez of the Fleet Corporation sug-
gcstcd Mr.. Schwab to The chairman of |
the Shipping Board. Mr.. Schwab came
To Washington last Sunday at the invi-
tation Of Mr.. Hurley. and at that time
was urged to accept the post. IIe how
ever, declined to do so until he had
had an opportunity to confer with some
of his business associates. Meantime
officials Of the Shipping Board i'm
pressed him with the opportunity pre-
scented to render a great patriotic ser
vice to the country.
Will Not Displacc Picz
The Schwlb appointment, it was
stated at the Shipping Board to-day, /
does not mean the displacement Of
General Manager Piez To be sure the
director general will undertake many
Of the functions heretofore performed
by Mr.. Picz. The latter. however, it
was stated. in continuing as vice
president Of the Fleet Corporation and
as chief executive assistance TO Chair
man Hurley. will have wide opportu-
mites fo assist tho shipping pro-
grammc.
Director General Schwab will have
no jurisdiction over the policies Of
the Shipping Board. His province will
be confined strictly to cXpediting ac
tual construction Of ships within the
limitation Of policies defined by the
board. In this province. however, his
authority will be absolute.
The operating division of the Ship
ping Board will commence series of
conferences here tomorrow, to be at
tended by members Of the Ship Control
Committee and representatives of the
War Department, to discuss ways and
means to allocate tonnage SO as to OBJ
tain maximum utility out of the ships
now under government direction. The
question Of the types of ships to be
built in the future also will be dis
cuascd and policy Of construction to
be followed in future contracts formu--
lated. This probably will tend toward
the building Of larger ships, it is said,
these bcin- more economical to ope-
rate.