The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-17
Steel Magnate Is Fifth Man
to Be Placed in Charge
of Plans
WILL HAVE COMPLETE
SUPERVISION OF ALL
IMPORTANT ACTIVITY
Piez Will Continue to
Act as Supervisor and
Will Place All the
Contracts

Washington, April 16.--The
building of the great merchant
which will transport
Americas men and resources
to the battle front was en-
trusted today by the shipping
board to Charles M. Schwab,
and shipbuilderl
who becomes director general
of the emergency fleet corpor-
alton with unlimited powers TO
put through the vast building
already under way.
.sMr. Schwab will have complete
and direction of the work
of shipbuilding" said an Official an
issued from the White :
House after Mr.. Schwab had been
there to confer with President Viii
son in company with Chairman Hur-
lev, Of the shipping board, Charles
Piez, vice president and general mama
ger of the fleet corporation, and
cambridge Colby, a member of the
board.
Control of policies, which includes
decisions as to the number. size and
character of ships to be built with the
millions Appropriated by Congress,
still will rest with the shipping board.
Mr.. Piez, at his own suggestion, re-
linquishes the position Of general man.
aser of the fleet corporation, when i
abolished, to give Mr.. Schwab tree
hand. Mr. Hurley remains chairman OF
the board and president of the fieet
corporation in charge of policies. Mr.
Piez continues as supervisor Of the
hoard. attending to administrative de-
tails of construction, including the
placing OF contracts, and Mr. Schwao
win organize and carry forward t.'c
work of putting the ships into lie
water.
FIFTH MAN NAMED
Mr.. Schwab is the fifth man to he
nut in charge of the shipping boards
building programme, but his appoint-
ment was attended by none OF the
friction which marked some OF the
81 evious changes in management. The
suggestion for the appointment 81 A.
practical builder of national pronti-
nence came this time from the snip-
ping board itself and Mr., Hurley
chose Mr.. Schwab. First Of all. was
wanted man who could inspire the
ward owners and workers with the
supreme Importance Of building ships
as fast as they can be turned out. Mr..
Schwab's genius for getting the best
out of the men with whom he H. as
soc ia ed--and in this connection fleet
corporation official recalled the story
that Schwab never employed man he
could not praise---together with his
record of achievement in developing
the Bethlehem Steel properties brought
unanimous approval in the board oil
his selection as the man for the place.
HURLEY AT WHITE HOUSE
Mr.. Schwab was in Washington all
last Sunday comforting with Mr.. Hpr-i
ley, Mr. Piez and others Last night
Mr.. Hurley was at the w ulte iiousc
for more than an hour outlining the
steps proposed to President Wilson.
fwho gave the chairman's suggestions
unqualified approval Announcement
Of Mr. Schwab's appointment was
made after he had been thanked ~
The President for sacrificing his per-
sonal interests and inclination 70 ac-
cept the position
Exact division OF authority between
| Mr.. Schwab and MIR. Piez has not yet
been discussed In general. however,
| MI. Schwah will have charge OF con-
struction. with no restrictions on put
ting into effect whatever measure no
thinks viii turn out ships. Mr.. Pies
will continue to carry the burden ~
administration OF the fleet corpora
ZION. such as contracts. legal ques-
tons and all the multitudinous details
arising from the expenditure Of huns
dreds of millions of dollars.
| Mr.. Schwab and Mr.. Piez will spcnd
Thursday in conference to fam:liarize
/ the director general with tho ssatus
of the ship building programme
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