New-York tribune., 1921-10-11
" atkins Named
Ship Operating; {;
Chief for n. Y.
Mack Completes Changes ia
Local Headquarters and
Goes TO Philadelphia;
TO ReorgaEize at Boston
Prepare Craft for Winter
Many Vessels Being Tied Up
Daily; 283 in New York
Alone: Plan Better Care

Colonel Robert NJ. Watkins. now
marine superintendent of the New York
district. Aas been appointed operating
o.nnsgtr for the Shipping Board in
ne Eastern district. according TO IN
ornaIioa obtained at the local Offices
O. the board yesterday. Colonel Wat
A'ns viii he assistant TO A. F. Mack,
Eastern director, and will have charge
e tie operating aud care OF all ves-
sels - Boston, New York and Phila-
Gol9nsa. The office Of marine super
iutondent viii ne abolished and the
duties will be merged under the new
operating manager.
Mr. Mack now practically has com
p.eted his reorganization Of the New
Work Offices. Details are expected
soon To-day Mr.. Mack and Colonel
Watkins intend to leave for Philadel-
phia 20 Investigate conditions there
and make the necessary changes. At
tention will then be given to Boston
and other Northern ports.
The appointment of Colonel Wat
k;ns marks q reorganization OF all de-
partment5 here. with concentration Of
authority and the inauguration of new
policies that Mr. Mack believes Will re-
suit in greater economy and efficiency.
A plan already has been adopted for
better care Of The vessels tied UP in
New York Harbor. These are being
prepared for the winter. All ships
which are not likely to be put in use
-or some time. Mr.. Mack said yester-
day, viii be stripped compile tely. Stores
will be removed to shore warehouses.
Pipes viii be prepared against freez~
ing, and the steel decks will be oiled.
4 systematic method Of manning also
has been worked out by Mr. Mack
,t--,t t..i +od Re
attention at reduced cost.
It was said yesterday that the bet
ter vessels, which may be put in opera
ton. VIII be dismantled IN rart, but
viii be held in readiness for call upon
short notice These will be moored
at advantageous places. The idle fleet
Is being put in readiness for rough
weather during the winter months.
The number of ships tied UP is in
ent there are 2SS IN New York, forty
in Boston and ninety in Philadelphia,
The policy of retrenchment adopted by
the Shipping Board is bringing q con-
slant withdrawal of ships from opera
tion. Officials here would not predict
when the maximum viii be reached.
No steps have yet been taken for
the extension OF the Eastern district
20 include Baltimore, Norfolk and the
SOuCn AtldNtlc ports, OuCldlS Sdlu.
When Nj Mack was appointed Eastern
director. on September /, Chairman
Lasker SAID that the Shipping Board
expected within reasonable time to
give MIN jurisdiction over the entire
Alta .ic seahoard. 1t IS understood
shat when the reorganization Of the
cites now included in this district is
finished the cnsolidation will be made.
On October / MI. Mack assumed super
vision of Dostor and Philadelphia as
part OF this district.
Colonel Watkins was appointed ma
r.ne superintendent en- September 10.
succeeding Captain o. @. Parker. Dur
.ng the war he was in charge of the
docking and operation Of ships for the
army at the port OF Marseilles France.
Previous to that he was in business for
himself N New York. and for nine
years before that he was in charge of
stevedoring and operation of ships for
he Osaka Shosen kaisha in Puget
Sound. He has been active in The af-
fairs Of the American Legion in New
York. and is now vice-chairman of the
New York County organization.
Plans for the reorganization OF the
Eastern district were approved by the
Shipping Board last week at confer
euce between Mr.. Mack and officials of
the Fleet Corporation. Mr.. Mack was
% his Office here to-day after a period
y MashinEton