The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-01-30
SHIPPING BOARD
DECLINES OFFER

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.--The Unit
60 states shipping board has created
. precedent In tho history of American
governmental affairs by declining 10
eecept an appropriation of sl25, 900 900.
REPRESENTATIVES James W. Good and
Msnstor francis j.. Warren, the Repub-
mean chairinen OF the appropriation
committees Of the house and senate
respectively. have been notified to this
erect by John Barton Payne, chair
man OF the shipping board.
Inc reason for this unprecedented
Eeuon Is that Chairman Payne has
placed the shipping board on peace
basis In quick time and without ais
turping the efficiency OF the wonderful
organization that sprung UP overnight
IN April, 1917. This was effected hy n
careful accounting from those who were
operating the government-buil vessels.
q reduction In the personnel force and
a consolidation OF different department.
when, 1t could be done without destroy
ing the organizations efficiency,
Last autumn when the estimates for
congress were being prepared Chairman
Payne requested an additional appro-
priation OF slse, 900 900 for the cancella-
ton and completion Of contracts for
nhipbuiiding, etc, and s2S0. 000, 900 more
u congress decided upon the construc-
ton of a balanced fleet, that is, fleet
containing the proper proportions OF
the different types OF merchant ves-
sells; otherwise the latter sum would
not be needed, Mr.. Payne wrote Sec
Ietary Of the Treasury Glass
Chairman Changes Mind.
Mr. Payne, who took office In Sep.
TENDER, discovered after making his
estimates that tho department would
not need all he had requested. For in
stance, thorough accounting brought
In the hhlYd he, Nj
the result Of voyages made by the ships
rented TO operators.
The cutting down Of various divisions
then began, resulting in a total reduce
ton OF personnel payroll Of about S.
oOO, 600 when completed
The construction division was reduced
py 1000 persons at a saving Of So.
bOo, goo, and the recruiting service about
the same. This latter was a source OF
great expense during the war rush and
Ior the fiscal year ending June 80, 1919.
cost S,Soi, 900, Up to Dec. a. 1919,
some SIX months. this had been reduced
10 Sa,sO3, 600 which with further re.
auctions Is expected 10 result in a saw
ing OF S3,500,00O when the fiscal wear
ends on June 80, 1890 In addition re-
auctions In the washington office viii
total 100000 annually when complet.
ga, Since Dec, I there has been a re-
duction Of 50 per cent in the division o,
NstNAAN NANAVAk ipah OF NI-
Iiciency
with all these actual results before
him Chairman Payne thereupon notified
Chairmen Good and Warren that he
would not need s125. COO. 000 of the slss,
100000 additional asked In the esti-
mates, ana ne intilnated that the bal
nnee OF s4i. ono 600 also might be waived
Has Big Fleet Now.
Realizing the vital Importance OF
keeping the appropriations as low as
possible and making cancellations and
reductions, we are driving the organi-
cation so that we may not be compelled
TO make further calls upon congress"
wrote Mr. Payne
The United States shipping board Of
ficials point out that In April, 1917
when the board was organized there
were 81 shipyards In the United States
with 234 ways engaged In building In
November. 1915, when the armlstice
was signed, there were 223 yards with
1,f22 ways.
IN 1917 the United States shining
board and emergency fleet corporation
launched 1o6 ships. totaling 70S.9iO dead.
weight tons: u 1918 the number was
mage, and in 1919 there ewere launched
l,065 ships with tonnage Of 5,sS2.277
There remains OF the war construc.
ton program 534 ships OF 3,66l. 767 dead
weight tonnage to be completed and
delivered prior TO August, 1920
Eighteen ships were constructed in
Japan for a tonnage Of 14S.S23. All
these. activities and the taking over OF
the German and Austrian ships gives
Inc United States merchant fleet In
asadweight tonnage OF S,700,si2 steel
ships, l,799,123 wooden ships. SO 900
composite, 10000 concrete, or a total of
aleted In 1920.