Evening journal., 1919-05-14
BUILDFOREIGNSHIPS
IN AMERICAN YARDS
Wilson Order May Result in
Contracts Approximating
5000, 600 Gross Tons
BIC PLANTS WILL
BE KEPT BUSY

WASHINGTON, ~ c.. May ii.-Or-
eers for possibly 100000 gross tons Of
shipping 10 be built for foreign account
in American shipyards may he placed
as the result OF an order by President
Wilson permitting the building OF such
ships provided il could be done without
interfering with the construction OF the
american merchant marine. The Prcsi-
dents action was announced in a state-
ment issued yesterday at the White
House.
Officials Of the shipping Board would
nc. venture more than a guess as 20
the tonnage American shipbullders
might expect as the result OF the Pres
idents order, which. u was said at the
White House. had been issued at the
suggestion OF Chairman Hurley, OF the
shipping Board.
Good, substantial orders, Il was said
by officials, may be expected for the
Pacific and Atlantic yards.
Norway expected 10 place large
orders, possibly 100000 tons, and
France and Italy probably will let con-
tracts for considerable tonnage. il was
explained France already has placed
orders for 10000 tons in England FOR
delivery in three years, and officials
believe may give American yards good
share OF the 100000 additional tons
which that country is expected 10 re-
quirc. Italy, 10 was said. probably viii
DE in The market for approximately 500
100 tons part Of which may be build
In the United states. but England is
not expected 20 place any order in
american yards.
The Presidents action was made
known in this statement, issued at the
White House:
Secretary Tumulty today announced
that, upon the suggestion of Chairman
Hurley, Of The United states shipping
Board, the President has taken action
that will permit American shipyards 20
accept foreign contracts as far as that
can be done without interfering with
the building program FOR American reg
istry.'
With the entry Of The United states
into The war, all steel ships building FOR
foreign account We're requisitioned by
Tie government. and the yards were
prohibited from accepting any foreign
ct ntracts. Several nations, particularly
Norway and sweden. are In The mar
ket for ships, and with the osncelling
by The shipping Board of a number Of
contracts awarded during the emsr-
Ecncy many American yards urged that
they be permitted 10 enter into con-
tracts for foreign concerns.
At the Shipping Board, u was eN-
plained that few orders could be placed /
Immediately as the capacity Of the
yards for foreign account was yet lin
tied. only five. or possibly six. yards !
are now in position 10 take on for
sign orders, but this situation will
gradually be relieved. It was said.
in respect 20 the prices 10 be quoted I
BY American shipbuillers 90 foreign in 1
lerests. &c was recalled that the last /
price made for ships built in Ameri- |
ra:. yards was $40 a ion. Al con-
tracts for foreign ships will be placed /
privately, shipping Board officials said. /
aut under tn general supervision Of /
The Board.
The statement given out az the
White House. announcing the Presi-
dents order, said:
Secretary Tumulty announced that
Ipon the suggestion Of Chairman Hur-
ley, Of The United states shipping Board
ho President has taken action thai Will
permit American shipyards 20 accept
'oi icign contracts so far as that can be
lone without interfering with the
program Of American regis
ny"
President Wilson. shortly after his
lrst arrival in Paris. is understood %
rave told a high French official that
American shipyards at that time would
pc unable 20 accept contracts 70 build
hips for French account as the