New-York tribune., 1918-01-09
Three Million Tons in 1918
Is Outside Limit, Fergu-
son Declares
Blames Dissension
Among Officials
Work lmpeded by Lack of
Housing Facilities, He
Tells Committee

WASHINGTON. Jan. S.--Americas s
rrobablc output of merchant ships III
1918 was put at 100000 tons to-day by
Homer l. Ferguson, president and gen
eral manager Of the Newport News
Shipbuilding Company, testifying at
the Senate shipbuilding inquiry. EST,
mates frequently made of from 5000,
600 TO 5000 600 tons, he declared, were
misleading to the public, and should
not be permitted to go unchallenged
The greatest obstacle now in the way
Of rapid construction, Mr.. Ferguson
said, was poor housing Facilities for
shipyard workers. His account Of
housing conditions at Newport News so
stirred the committee that sub-com-
mittec. comprising Chairman Fletcher
and Senator Harding, was appointed to
confer Tomorrow with the proper gov
ernment officials with a view to oh.
tanning immediate relief there and else
where.
The testimony Of Nh Ferguson. for
seventeen years a naval constructor,
made a visible impression on the com
mittee. and ne was kept on the stand
most of the day. tie old not hesitate
10 critcise the Shipping Board and the
Emergency Fleet Corporation, ard held
them to blame in large measure for the
slow development of the governments
programme.
Housing Problem Vital
The housing problem" Mr.. tergu-
son declared, "is one Of the most vital
facing the government in the conduct
OF the war. You cannot get the ships
unless houses are provided for work
men We want to add five thousand
men to our force. and there is no.
where in Newport News for them to
live. understand that conditions else
where are equally as bad.
There Is no limit to the amount Of
ships this country can build if it really
sets itself TO the task. The shipyards
already bui and those building can
turn out 100000 tons of ships annu-
ally under proper conditions, and the
country could. if put to It. add still
other yards and produce 100000 tons
year But 1t cannot be done without
ildI poNCl. anu man PON Sl Ns'iAItoS ~
obtained unless housing is provided.
Urges Communicating
at is just as necessary for the gov
ernment TO build honses for shipyard
workers as for soldiers. 1t must
do il if it gets ships. If ! had the
power | would commander houses, and
think the government should do this
There is talk of working men two and
three shifts. In our yard we have not
enough men to work one shift, and in
one house | know of eighteen persons
are living in five rooms. We have not
the money to build houses. and it is
the duty of the government to put
them up. We are ready to furnish the
land"
Declaring 100000 tons to be the
probable maximum production this
year, Mr.. Ferguson said Lloyd's specia
only 2.500.0oo tons. Although he die
not condemn the wooden ship pro
sramme, Mr.. Ferguson said he doubtee
# the vessels, after they were built
would be tit for transatlantic service
Ihey could be used 10 great advantage
lie SAID. on coastWise runs.
Members of the committee were in
tereSted TO know what had caused the
delay in the governments providing
housing facilities for shipyards, ant
Mr.. Ferguson replied that ne though
1t was due to lack of coordination BY
the War and Navy departments, tn,
Shipping Board and the Council of Ma
tional Defence. In Newport News, h.
said, the growth of the military estab
ishment had absorbed all available
housing.
Concentration Poor Plan
Concentration Of shipyards in tn
Phlladelph district was criticised b.
Mr.. Ferguson as likely to increas
housing difficulties and to add TO rail
road congestion. The industry he said
should have been scattered more alon
the coasts.
Shipbuildng in established shipyard
was hampcred instead of expedited, Nj
Ferguson said, when the Fleet Corpora
ton Communicated construction. Unit
December. he declared, the corporatio
was unwilling to pay additional cost
Tor speeding up building operation.
although the private owners of ship
under construction always were read
to pay for speed.
Wooden construction was delayed
Mr. Ferguson said. because the col
poration attempted too ambitious
programme at the start. Changes i
specifications caused delays, he sale
When, II the corporation mad Stafte
with few ships and developed tn
type it wanted, few vessels would hav
had 70 be changed.
IF housing is needed that badly
said he, "thc government can get tn
money within forty eight hours for tn
purpose. 1t can get it before yo
leave the city"
"fhen ri stay" said Mr. Fergusol
i have been trying for nine month
70 get housing at Newport News All
nave talked to government officials III
I'll am sick of the subject"
George NJ. Andrews. an officer of tt
New York Shipbuilding Compan.
which has a plant at Comden, n. J
SAID his company wanted to add
large number of employees but cou
not transport them to and from il
yards.