The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-21
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORM ALTON
BURE AU
SHIPS NEEDED MORE THAN
FREDERIC J. HAsKIN. Dtrscts
Washington, D. C.

to bring back the overseas FORCES IN
three months. This statement has
sition of the members Of the shipping
board than a shortage of riveters or
the high cost of drivi nails.
Employees of the board are becom-
ing sensitive about the report. ITS
ridiculous" they murmur coldiy,
with a whitening glance at the latest
inquirer after truth.
There is no doubt that the state
ment referred to was taken seriously
by many people, and that relatives
figured out that their Particular SOL
der would be home by Christmas or,
if not. certainly by New Years Day.
But! To carry 100000 men re-
quires 100000 tons of shipping. or
three tons for each man. We have
about 6,5O0,O00 tons in our marine,
and it would, of course, be impossible
to utilize the entire fleet or even most
of 1t for troop transportation Fur
thermore, only ships of over four
thousand tons are used as transports
Adequate shipping is now more i'm
portant than eker, because of the close
relations which must be maintained
between this country and the devas-
tated countries of Europe. Food,
clothing and labor can be carried to
them only by ships, and the amount
sent will be measured by the amount
of shipping available. The merchant
marine of the United States is grow
ing prodigiously, but it cannot bear
of shipping will possibly be duty Of
the peace conference, for unless some
such step is taken, the neutral ma
tions will put part or their shipping
into trade with the United States
where the best prices can be obtained,
and scatter the rest in voyages to
distant ports. This would mean that
Belgium, Russia. Serbia and other
destitute countries would be without
imports. Reconstruction would be
seriously retarded.
Ships in increasing numbers will be
needed by the United States, not only
to keep food and other exports NOV
ing to Europe. from this country, but
to carry to Europe troops, especially
engineers, and troops supplies. Until
the war departments policy as to fur
Their troop shipments overseas is an
nounced, it is impossible to estimate
how much shipping will be requisition-
ed for this purpose. Whether Ger
many will be policed, and IL SO the ex-
tent of the garrison, all Of which will
be decided later, is a matter which will
affect shipping affairs.
~ 1t is believed that the war depart
nlent will send back to the United
States men who have seen the longest
active service, and send forward those
NAlo arc ONckSCdS UCiAAAlu thO IAAOSy 81
that they may have share IN what
ever work is to be done.
I Two hundred thousand soldiers a
month is considered a likely estimate
Of the rate at which soldiers may be
returned to the United States. For
d while, ships. bringing soldiers back
10 this country will return loaded,
largely. it is believed, with skilled
workers ef-the army. .
In order that trade may not stag
nate and reconstruction be set back,
shipyards are working more rapidly
than; ever. turning OUT three ships in
time ordinarily taken to build one.
Sixteen million stons of shipping by
1920 were called for by the wartime
program, to make up an adequate
merchant marine for the United
States. Cessation of hostilities alters
this schedule in no way except that de-
mobilization of our fighting forces will
release hundreds of skilled workers
who will find in the shipyards perman-
emit work and good pay. With this
source of material to draw from, the
United States may have it's 10000. 900
ton marine before the appointed time.
Before the war the United States
struggled along with a marine of less
than 100000 tons, supplemented by
chartered ships of other nations. Now,
when South America is an open mar
keI 1Of OnlI6Q States ITdue, d1lu WHEN
DUR commerce has been thriving while
that Of other countries has been Grip
pled.e 100000 tons is "a conservative
allowance for our needs.
To float our new ships there must
be an enormousNincrease in our mer-
chant marine personnel. Four thou
sand officers and men are now being
recruited each month to man these
ships. and when men from the army
ranks speed up the shipping program,
the numbers of sailors required will be
proportionately increased.
The shipping board is casually keep
ing an eye on the navy as a possible
! source of supply. No arrangements
have been made to secure the navy de-
partmentS aid as yet, but the chances
are that special inducements will be
offered to members of the naval re-
serve to enter the mer<hant service.
| 1t is also considered possible that men
| may be drafted for the merchant ma
rine in the interests of Europe's recon-
struction. Valuable men, who have
| acquired their sea-legs and are skilled
in some ship trade could be drawn
from the navy in this way; but a draft
| would be an emergency measure in
| case of serious lack of volunteers
The experience of the shipping board
\ in getting recruits leads It to believe
that the American boys love of. the
sea usually stands the test of practical
| experience, and that the merchant ma
rine will not lack officers nor crews.
As two years sea-going experience
Is the main professional requirement
! of applicants for the marine officers
| schools, the navy could furnish the
| bulk of officer material for the nine
million tons of ships yet to be built
the merchant marine schools for
| training officers, crews, and shfpyard
workers, which were tablished as a
war measure, will be continued as a
permanent institution. The value, OF
these training courses has been proved
They are able to turn out any type OF
m2n needed, from boilers to officers
Further additions to the marine
after the war shipbuilding program is
completed. rest with congress The
shipping board is not a war oreaniza
ton. It was organized before the