New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-03
Hurley to Place
Blame for Short
Shipping Output

WASHINGTON, April 2.-American
shipbuilders were called upon tonight
to explain why their output for March
fell behind schedule.
Chairman Hurley of the Shipping
Board and General Manager Pez of
the Emergency Fleet Corporation tcle-
graphed the managements of all the
yards in the United States, saying they
were "kecnly disappointed" in the ton
mage delivered and placing the respon-
sibility OF turning out ships souarcly
on the men in control of the actual
building operations.
"keynote of present situation IS
management-lea adership," the telegram
said. Money, material and men have
been supplied without stint by the ma
ton. The American people want ships,
not excuses"
Plans to Fix Blame
In discussing the telegram the chair
man said it was his intention to find
out exactly where the fault lay.
Perhaps it may lie with representa-
tlves Of the Fleet Corporation, who are
cooperating with the Drilders," he
said. "lf so, we want to know it, and
promise to correct it. If there is any
shortage Of material we want to know
it, so we can take it up with the War
Industries Board and prevent it hap
pening again We want the manage
n III
nate any incficicncy or lost motion.
Every man engaged in building
ships ought to keep in mind all the
time that he is working to back up the
boys over there and that it is up to the
shipbuildcr and shipworker to feed
those boys who are giving their all in
this war. II we all could get that idea
there would be no loss of production at
any time"
Chairman Hurlcy's telegram to the
yard managers follows:
eve are kcenly disappointed in the
amount Of tonnage delivered by Amer
lean shipyards during month of March
and the slow averages made in many
yards. Only twcnty-one steel vessels
aggrcgating 1G6,7 700 tons, were delivered
during that month and our minimum
estimate was for l97,075 tons. Instead
of this reduction from our estimate
we should have had an increase. This
estimate was made on promises OF
shipbuildcrs. Thirty steel ships were
launched with q total tonnage of 219,-
$50 tons. Eleven wooden ships were
launched, amounting to 100000 tons.
Expect Record This Month
eve are particularly anxious that
you and your organization should put
forth a special effort during month
of April. We are anxious that YOU
should keep us fully informed con
corning all causes Of delay cncount
cred in building ships during this
month, daily by wire if necessary. We
are concerned with entire programme
but we want April to break all records
care the majority Of your men doing
a full days work? Are you working
overtime? Are you running nigh,
shift or planning to do so? 1t is n-
pcrativc that every power that can be
taken advantage of be used. We wan,
your reply promptly to this telegram
stating frankly the facts. Money ma
tcral and men have been supplied with
out stint by the nation. Keynote OF
present situation is management, lead
crship. Emergency Fleet Corporation
looks to you for team work in applying
leadership 30 speeding up of pro
rrammc. We will welcome any suggcs
lions which you wish to make, and if ir
YOUR opinion the fault lies with tho
Emergency Fleet Corporation. don't
hesitate to advise us. What tonnage
do wou expect to produce during Apri
in the way of finished ships? How
many kccls will you lay? How many
ships will you launch? Please don'i
ovcrcstmatc. We are anxious to get