New-York tribune., 1919-05-13
Chairman Hurley in State
ment Dissipates the Idea
Held in England That
Craft Will Be Returned
May Take Foreign Orders
Ban Is Likely To Be Raised
and Some Vessels AL
ready Built May Be Sold
By Theodore M. Knappen
NeW YorL, Tribune
WashinQton Bureau

NeW Yorl; Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, May II. While
there appears to be an impression in
England that the United States is only
temporarily 10 retain control of the
seized German ships, Chairman Hurley,
of the Shipping Board. said to-day that
whatever the method of adjustment, the
ships would certainly be kept by the
United States.
Other features of the shipping stu
alton and policy were dealt with by
Mr.. Hurley as follows:
First-lt is probable that permission
will be granted soon to American ship
builders to accept foreign orders for
steel ships.
Second-The Shipping Board is likely
to dispose of some of its own steel
ships to foreign buyers, who are will
ing to pay top price and have the
cash.
Third-There have been no further
cancellations of shipbuilding contracts
than the original 3,5OO,OOO tons, fol-
lowing the armistice.
cheaper to Complete Ships
Pending the submission of the out
line of the national requirements in
types, based on a scientific examination
of the facts of commerce, checked up
by the advice of practical shipping
men, the brakes are baing put on con-
struction to a certain degree. In some
instances previous cancellations or
suspensions have been revoked because
investigation showed that construction
lad progressed to such point that it
was cheaper to complete than to scrap.
Thus twelve Of the transports being
built at Hog Island have been rein
stated. Originally seventy of this type
were ordered built at Hog Island
Thirty-fve were definitely cancelled
OF the remaining thirty-fve, twelve
were on the ways. These were held
up, but work on them has been re-
sumed.
In the matter of foreign orders, it
is planned to arrange to let foreigners
take over some of the contracts that
the Shipping Board desires to have
cancelled or has already cancelled.
Some foreign countries may have need
OF type OF boat Of which the United
States already has too many. By sub
stituting foreign orders in this way
parts and materials already delivered
or ordered can be used, and the result
will be advantageous to the builder as
we'll as to the government.
Too Many of Certain Types
Of the ships that have been com
pleted or which will be completed be
cause that is the most economlca
thing to do, there may be too many Of
some types for the normal peace com
merce Of the United States. In such
cases the Shipping Board will consider
selling completed ships to foreigners.
With the removal Of the need fol-
precipitate speed, builders are pro.
ceeding much more deliberately than
during the war. At the present rate
of building the United States yards
will hardly build more than 100000
tons deadweight this year, notwith-
standing increased efficiency and addl-
tions to the number ~. ways. Under
war pressure they would probably have
built 100000 tons this year. The re-
suit is that it will take until the mid
die Of 1921 to complete the present
paper programme.
The yards are now turning out COM
pleted ships at the rate of about 200,-
600 gross tons month, the total OF
deliveries from January l to May
having been 204 ships of $3.50 gross
tons Of these l61 were steel of $685.
7SC tons and fortythree were COM
posite of $4,000 tons.
The total construction by the Ship
ping Board to date is 731 steamships OF
27735GT gross tons.