South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-09
SEES ONLY 3
MILLION TONS
SHIPS IN 1878
Newport News Company Head
Tells Senate Committee Bio
Problem Now is HOuS-
ing for Workers.


ger Of the Newport News Ship Build
ing company, testifying at the SEN
ate ship building inquiry. Estimates
frequently made OF from five 10
eight million tons, he declared. were
misleading to the public and shoulI
not be permitted 10 go unchaHeng-
ed.
The greatest obstacle now in the
way OF rapid construction. Mr.. Fer
guson said. is poor housing facilities
for ship yard workers. His story Of
housing conditions at Newport
News so stirred the committee that
subcommittee comprising Chair
man Fletcher and Sen. Harding was
appointed 10 confer tomorrow with
the proper government officials with
"A view 20 obtaining immediate re-
lief there and elsewhere
The testimony of Mr.. Ferguson.
for II years a naval constructor
made a visible impression on the
committee and he was kept on the
stand most OF the day. He did not
hesitate 20 criticise the shipping
board and the emergency fleet cor
poTation and held them 20 blame in
large measure for the slow develop
me1t OF the governments program.
Housing the Big Problem.
The housing problem" Mr.. Fer
guson declared, els one Of the most
vital facing the government in the
conduct OF the war You cannot
get the ships unless houses are pro
VideG for workmen. We want 20
add 5000 men TO our force and there
is nowhere in Newport News for
them 10 live. understand that con-
ditions elsewhere are equally as bad.
There is no limit TO the amount
Of ships this country can build IL 4
really sets itself TO the task. The
shipyards already built and those
building can turn out 5000. 900 tons
Of ships annually under proper con-
ditions and the country could. If put
10 II add still other yards and pro-
duce ten million tons "A year. But
IL cannot be done without man
power and man power cannot be
obtained unless housing is provid-
cd"
Declaring that 100000 tons is
me probable maximum production
this year. Mr.. Ferguson said that
LlOyd's special report estimates the
steel output at only 100000 tons.
Although he did not condemn the
wooden ship program. Mr.. Fergu-
son said that ne doubted III the yes
sells If they were built were tit for
trans Atlantic service. They could
be used 20 great advantage he said.
on coastwise runs.
Charges No Coordination.
Members OF the committee were
interested 20 know what had caused
the delay in the governments pro-
yiding housing facilities for ship
Yards and Mr.. Ferguson replied that
he thought Il was due 20 a lack Of
coordination by the war and navy
departments, the shipping board and
the council OF national defense.
Concentration OF shipyards in the
Philadelphia district was criticised
by Mr.. Ferguson as likely to increase
housing difficulties and to add 20
railroad congestion The industry.
he said. should have been scattered
more along the coasts.
Ship building in established yards
was hampered instead of expedited.
Mr.. Ferguson said. when the fleet
corporation Communicated con-
struction Until Decembe he de-
clared. the corporation was unwill-
ing 20 pay additional costs for speed
ing up building operations. al
though the private owners Of ships
under construction always were
ready 10 pay for speed.
Wooden construction was delayed
Mr.. Ferguson said. because the cor
poration attempted too am bitious a
program at the start Changes in
specifications caused delays. he said.
when IL the corporation had started
with a few ships and developed the
type IL wanted few vessels would
have had 10 be changed.
FaVors Practical Man.
Would the program in your opin-
ion have moved any faster If a prac-
teal ship builder in the first place
had been put in as general manage:
q the feet corporation ?" Sen. Mar
tin asked
Yes" Mr.. Ferguson replied. so
far as I know this is the first time
since the program was put under
way that a practical ship builder
ever was asked officially for his ad-
vice or suggestions as 20 ship build
ing
At the time Rear Admiral Capps
resigned as general manager OF the
feet corporation. Mr.. Ferguson was
asked. he said, 20 take the place.
but when ne found he would be
given no authority he declined. Sen.
Johnson sought to bring out tina.
William Denman. when chairman.
sought 90 have MIR. Ferguson be
come a mem Der Of the corporation g
staff. but Mr.. Ferguson said he had
received no definite offer.
Sen Martin was aroused over the
housing problem.
IF housing is needed that badly"
said he. the government can get
the money within as hours for the
purpose. II can get IL before you
leave the city.
Then TIL stay" Mr.. Ferguson
said. 81 have been trying for nine
months 20 get housing al Newport
News and have talked 90 govern
saent officials until I ann sick Of the
subject"
George NJ Andrews an officer Of
the New York ship Building com
pauy. which has a plant at Camden.
n j. said his company wanted 20