The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-09
Shipbuilder Says Output for
Year Will Be Less Than
100000 Tons.
POOR LABOR HOUSING
PRINCIPAL OBSTACLE
No Limit to Number That
Can Be Constructed If
us. Sets to Task.

Washington, Jan. 8. Americas
probable output of merchant ships In
1918 was put at three million tons to-
day by Homer l.. Ferguson, president
and general manager of the Newport
News Shpbuilding company, testify
ing at the senate shipbuilding inquiry.
Estimates frequently made of from
to 8 million tons, he declared, were mis-
leading and should not be permitted to
go unchaIlenged.
The greatest obstacle now in the way
of rapid construction. Mr.. Ferguson
said. Is poor housing facilities for ship
yard workers. His story of housing
conditions at Newport News SO stirred
the committee that sub committee,
comprising Chairman Fletcher and
Senator Harding was appointed to con-
fer tomorrow with the proper govern
lnent officials with a view to obtain
ing immediate relief there and else
where.
criticixes Shipping Board.
The Testimony of Mr.. Ferguson made
a visible impression on the committee.
He did not hesitate to criticize the
shipping board and the emergency fleet
corporation and held them to blame in
n large measure for the slow deyleop-
ment or the governments program.
"The housing problem" Mr.. Ferguson
declared, 'is one of the most vital fac
ing the government in the conduct of
the war.
There Is no limit to the amount of
ships this country can build if it really
sets itself to the task. The shipyards
already built and those building can
turn out 100000 tons of ships annual
ly under proper conditions and the
country could, il put to 1t, add still 9TH
er yards and produce ten million tons a
year. But it cannot be done without
man power and man power cannot be
obtained unless housing is provided.
Workers Need Houses.
at is just as necessary for the gov-
crnment to build houses for shipyard
workers as it Is for soldiers. 1t must
do it jf it gets ships. II I had the
power, l would commander houses
and think the government should do
this"
Declaring that 100000 tons is the
probable maximum production this
year, Mr.. Ferguson said that Lloyds
special representative estimate the
steel output at only 100000 tons. AL
though he did not condemn the wooden
ship program, Mr.. Ferguson said that
he doubted If the vessels, after they
were built would be fit for transatlan-
tic service. They could be used to
great advantage, he said on coastwise
runs.
Corporation Caused Delay.
Wooden construction was delayed
Mr.. Ferguson said. because the fleet
corporation attempted too ambitious a
program at the start. Changes In spe-
cifications caused delays he said, when
If the corporation had started with a
few ships and developed the type i,
wanted few vessels would have had tC
pc changed.
Would the program i'll your opinion
have moved any faster If practita
ship builder in the first place had beer
put in as general manager OF the flce'
corporation" Senator Martin asked
YES" Mr.. Ferguson replied. SO
far as | know this is the first time
since the program was put under wa,
that a practical snip builder ever a!
asked officially for his advice or sus
gestions as to ship building
Senator Martin was aroused ov,l
the housing problem.
If housing is needed that badly.
said he. "the government can get th
money within IS hours icr the purpose
1t can get it before you leave the city.
Then I'll stay" said Mr.. Ferguson
Il have been trying for nine months +
get housing at Newport News and har
talked to government officials until
am sick OF the subject"