The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-09
ONLY MILLION
TONS OF SHIPS
1918 FORECAST
Newport News Company's
Head Says Lack Of Coordi-
nation Is to Blame.
HOUSING BIG FACTOR
Communicating Of Homes for
Workers Urged-Scnate
committee Aroused.
apecial Despatch to TIE SuK.

special Despatch to TIE Sur.
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-After hearing
testimony to-day by Homer L. Ferguson.
president of the Newport News Ship
building Company. that the probable
output Of merchant ships by the United
states In 1918 would be 100000 tons
the Senate Committee on Commerce de-
cided that there must be immediate con-
ccntration Of efforts between the legis-
lativs and executive branches Of the
Government to speed the shipping pro-
sramme-
At the conclusion OF the hearings, on
motion of Senator Martin Of Virginia.
Chairman Fletcher designated himself
and Senator Harding. of Ohio ~ . COM
mittee 70 wait on the proper oticials
Of the executive branch Of the Govern
mont and ascertain In exact terms the
sra,ihc legislation needed to meet exist
,Ns delinauencies.
NJ Fersuson in his testimony said
,'-t estimates Of from 100000 to g.
rdoo10 tons output OF shipping for 1918,
"a frequently made, were misleading
q d Should not be permitted to go un-
,u4licnsed. He explained that the
greatest obstacle in the way OF rapid
obstruction was the poor housing facili-
ties for shipyard workers.
Committee Ii Impressed.
The testimony Of Mr.. Ferguson, for
seN6nt.eu yeafs a naval constructor.
made visible impression on the COM
spt~ Alr
ferguson said. lis one OF the most vital
facing the Government in the conduct
o. the war. You cannot get the ships
unless houses are provided for work.
;hcn. We want to add 5000 men to our
force and there Is nowhere in Newport
News for them to live. l understand
that conditions elsewhere are equally Ms
Dad. ..'
There is no limit to the amount of
sAps this country can build II 1t really
~. itself TO the task. The shipyards
alFsady huiit and those building can
tGin cut 5000. 900 tons OF ships an
:ually under proper conditions. and the
country could. II put to II, add still other
ards and produce 10000, 900 tons year.
But it cannot be done without man
power and man power cannot be OBJ
tdined unless housing Is provided.
IT is Just as necessary for the Gov
eTHihcHt 10 puliu fOuees LOT enlpyoIu
workers as 1t is for soldiers. 1t must
do il if it gets ships. If had the power
would commander houses and / think
tie Government should do this. There
j. talk of working men two and three
shifts. In our yard wo have not enough
ir'n 10 work one shift and In one house
know of eighteen persons are living
G 'lNe rooms. We have not the money
20 bulld houses and 1t Is the duty OF the
ioNernnient to put them UP. We are
ready 10 furnish the land"
IN asserting that 100000 tons is the
Nobable maximum production this year
NJ. Ferguson said that Lloyd's special
l.Port estimates the steel output at only
-,i.o 1000 tons. Although he did moi
'"Ldemn the wooden ship programme
a.. Ferguson said he doubted II the
Vessels after they were built would bs
d; for transatlantic service. They could
e used to great Advantage, he said. or
rh'stwisc runs.
Members of the committee were inter,
tstcd to know what had caused the delay
IT, the Governments providing housing
!acilites for shipyards and Mr.. Fer
ruSon replied that he thought 1t wa,
'.pc to lack Of coordination by the
WAY and Navy departments, the Ship
p.'s Board and the Council Of Nationa
defence. IN Newport News. he said
trc growth OF the military establishment
.! absorhed all available housing.
Wants Industry Scattered.
loncentration OF shipyards In tn,
adeiphia district was criticised b,
,i- Ferguson as likely to increase hous
6ificult!es and to add to raiiroa1
',Igestion. The industry, he said
.ould have been scattered more alonl
Fol. coasts.
s6!pbuilding In established yards wa
.upered instead Of expedited, Mr.. Fer
slsou said, when the Fleet Corporation
'lunandeered construction. Until De
Der, lie asserted. the corporation wa
willing TO pay additional costs TO
seeding up building operations. although
'He private owners Of ships under con
'''uat!on always were ready to pay 70
,peed.
Wooden construction was delayed, MI
f''gIsOn said. because the corporation
'.onpted too ambitious . programm
'' iHc start. Changes in specification
used delays. he explained. when.
na aud developed the type 1t wants
" ,oase!s would have had to
changed
NJ Ferguson told the committee tina
~ four months he pleaded for assist
CO. He said he had appealed succea
''"!F 10 Gen. Goethals, to william Der
'.l' 20 Rear Admiral Capps, to Rea
"1niral Harris. to Chairman Huris
t'1 TO Commissioner Donald.
The situation which had bsen on
''"d through the various conflicts q
orlty and conflicts Of instructio
l.'e been such as to make the citize
Loofhnator of his Government
H." ''onaries.' added Mr. Ferguson, an
"' yoWmttee laughed
'o"rge Andrews of the New Yor
p'!!ldlng Company Of Camden, N. J
.ni The committee that tho princips
problem OF his concern was in obtain
the skilled labor and in obtainin
IoIs'ng accommodations. but particr
y IN obtaining transportation n
NE men from centres of population ,
fA'ladelphia and Camden to the work,