Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-18
Shipyards Can Build
20 Million Tons in '43,
House Probe Shows
Figure Held Possible if
Undue and Unnecessary
Deloys Are Eliminated
~ the Associated Press.

after the World War. could pro-
duce up to 100000 tons of
shipping this year if undue and
unnecessary" delays are cor
rected.
The committee, reporting on an
investigation made last December
OF West Coast shipyards working
on naval contracts, urged that an
overall shipbuilding supervisor be
placed on the Pacific Coast and that
field representatives. be given more
authority to straighten out alloCa-
ton and priority snarls.
The committee, consisting of Rep
resentative Magnuson. Democrat, of
Washington, chairman. and Repre-
sentative Anderson Republican, of
California. reported finding con
siderable confusion as to the au-
thority and discretion allowed Navy
supervisors of Shipbuilding in the
field. particularly with respect TO
authority in the supervisors to per-
NIT substitutions for specified ma
terials presently unavailable.
Allotment System Attacked.
Much testimony was heard to the
effect that a serious bottleneck has
occurred in many of the yards be-
cause of men having to wait too
long to get materials out of the
warehouse. Especially does this arise
when material allotted for specific
ships, which is not Immediately
needed for those ships. cannot be
transferred to other ships where
the material might be utilized I'M
mediately. The committee strongly
recommends a relaxation of such
rigid system Of allotmentS, in the
discretion of the supervisor of
shipbuilding
Other findings-on Nationwide
basis-included
|. Man-hours lost because of alb
senteeism totaled 12,7OO0OO in De-
cember alone. compared with 10000
man-hours lost as a result of ship
yard strikes during the entire year
Of 1912
z. Strikes in other industries max
ing materials for shipyards resulted
IN lag far behind schedule
Cites Unrest Among Workmen.
3. Although selective service hasn't
crippled the industry, it has caused
much unrest among workmen due
to their uncertainty" regarding draft
board policies.
a. At least IS per cent of total
shipyard employment will consist OF
women by the end of February.
5. All standing closed-Shop agree
ments with recognized labor organi-
cations should be frozen for the
duration.
6. Criticism of cost-plus contracts
were for the most part unfounded
and due to misconception
Referring to charges that con-
tractors, by running up costs, could
increase their profits, the report
said no private contractor could
afford to operate in normal times
as shipyards are now being run I'M
der cost-plus contracts and that
wartime production entailed I'M
avoidable extravaganza. 1t recon-
mended that all cost-plus contracts
should contain clause lowering the
profit as the number of manhours
increased.
Experienced Men Needed.
Lack OF experienced management,
the committee said. was primarily
responsible for poor planning and
much of the enforced idleneSS
among workers. 1t advised that.
where vital naval contracts were
involved, the Navy Department
make available experienced naval
industrial men to assist in over
coming these difficulties.
when shipyards are 1900 miles
distant from the central authority
1t is important to vest even more
discretion in the field supervisors
and not require them to check with
Washington so frequently"
Suggesting location of more
plants supplying materials and
equipment in areas nearer the ship
yards. the committee said such in
dustries are now concentrated in
the East, and deliveries of materials
over long transportation routes
often delay construction programs
The DELAYED arrival Of critica
items virtually needed in ship con-
struction." it saio. can be at,
.rihuted also TO previous strikes il
key industries 1t was very
surprising to find in the West CoaS
area that the commissioning OF
naval vessels has Jagged far behinc
schedule as direct result of tn,
Allis-Chalmers strike in Milwaukee
which occurred over 20 month ago
Absenteeism Causes Studied
The tragic loss of manhours du,
N absenteeiSm." was attributed Il
lack of adequate housing and trans
portation. quitting without notice
high earnings long hours, Weathe
and the nature Of the work Sick
ness and accidents, the repor
added. accounted for only a SmaI
percentage.
The labor organizations to which
the employees belong should thor
uughlyy cooperate in the solution o
this problem" the committee ad
viseG.
Deliberate loafng was not "ap
treciably discernible.'
The committee recommended tina
ships be even more reouced I
Spartan-lke simplicity and Sug
eested valuable time had been los
dealing with insignificant change
such as specifications for officers
furniture
AK End of Launching Fanfare.
Il also recommended that launch
ing ceremonies either be abandone
or that at least much of the fan
fare anc publicity given such al
fairs be eliminated.
1t would seem that ceremonle
would be more appropriate at IN
time Of commissioning the vessels
the report said. 1t explained tina
launching of a ship comprised on.
20 per cent of It's total constructs