Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-18
SCHWAB DIRECTOR
Of SH|PBU|lO|NG
Famous Steel Maker to Supervise
Building of Merchant
Marine

Washington, April f6.-The building OF
the great merchant marine which will
transport Americas men and resources
to the battle front was entrusted to-day
by the Shipping Board to Charles M.
Schwab, steel maker and shipbuilder. who
becomes director general Of the Elmer
gency Fleet Corporation with unlimited
powers to put through the vast building
program already under way.
mt Schwab will have complete SUPER
vision and direction of the work Of ship
building" said an official announcement
issued from the White House after Mr..
Schwab had been there to confer with
President Wilson in company with
Chairman Hurley Of the Shipping Board;
Charles Piez. vice-president and general
manager Of the fleet corporation. and
cambridge Colby. a member of the board.
Control Of policies. which includes de-
cisions as to the number. size and char
acter Of ships to be built with the mil
lions appropriated by Congress. still will
rest with the Shipping Board. Mr.. Piez,
at his own suggestion, relinquishes the
position Of general manager of the fleet
corporation. which Is abolished to give
Mr.. Schwab a free hand. Mr. Hurley
remains chairman Of the board and presi-
dent of the fleet corporation. in charge
president Of the board. attending to ad-
ministrative details of construction. in
GLIDING the placing Of contracts, and Mr..
Schwab will organize and carry forward
the work Of putting the ships into the
water.
Mr.. Schwab is the fifth man to be put
In charge Of the Shipping Boards build
ing program. but his appointment was
attended by none Of the friction which
marked some Of tho previous changes in
management The suggestion for the APP
pointment OF a practical builder Of ma
tional prominence came this time from
the Shipping Board itself. and Mr.. Hurley
chose Mr.. Schwab. First of all was
wanted man who could inspire the yard
owners and workers with the supreme i'm
portance Of building ships as fast as they
can be turned out. Mr.. Schwabs genius
for getting the best out of the men with
whom he Is associated-and In this con-
nection fleet corporation ofiicial recalled
the story that Schwab never EN-.
ployed man he could not praise
together with his record of achievement
In developing the Bethlehem Steel prop
critics brought unanimous approval in the
board Of his selection az the man for the
place.
Mr.. Schwab was in Washington ali last
Sunday comforting with Mr.. Hurley, Mr..
Piez and others. Last night Mr.. Hurley
was at the White House for more than
an hour outlining the steps proposed to
President Wilson. who gave the chair
mans suggestions unqualified approval.
Announcement of Mr.. Schwab's appoint
ment was made after he had been
thanked by the President for sacrificing
- IL. t,1ka nd I'M n IN To
accept the position.
Exact division Of authority between Mr..
schwab and Mr.. Piez has not yet been
discussed.
Mr.. Schwab will have charge Of con-
struction with no restriction or putting
into effect whatever measures he thinks
will turn out ships. Mr.. Piez will con-
tinue to carry the burden of admins
tration Of the fleet corporation. such
as Contracts legal questions and all
the multitudinous details arising from
the expenditure OF hundreds of millions
of dollars.
Mr.. Schwab and Mr.. Piez will spend
Thursday in conference to familiarize the
director general with the status of the
shipbuilding program.
Oficials were inclined to think that Mr.
Schwabs new position will not require
the severance of his Industrial connec-
lions inasmuch as he will be concerned
solely with the construction Of ships
and win have no part in letting contracts
in which some OF his interests might
beneht. As chairman of the board OF
directors of the Bethlehem Steel corpora
ton and allied concerns. Mr.. Schwab has
been In control Of about one-third of the
shipbuilding In the United States.
His salary as director general Of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation was not
one Of the things which Mr.. Schwab
discussed while In Washington. ON
cials professed tonight not to know
what he would he paid. but It was be-
lieved he would become ono Of the small
army of dollar a year" men who are
contributing their services to the country
A"vtus the war.