The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-02-05
THE UNITED STATES ARSENAL.
Views of Citizens as to the Enterprise tc
Create Here a Large Gun Factory.

The matter of locating a foundry at the
United States Arsenal, east OF this city, dis
cussed by the governors of the Board of
Trade Monday evening, meets with general
approval. The sentiment among business
men, however, is that the benefit of such a
manufacturing enterprise, while it would
be great to this city, will be of even
greater advantage to the government.
THE seventy beautiful acres known
as the Arsenal grounds" said Albert Gall,
yesterday, fought to be put to some prac-
tical use, and the gun foundry will ex-
actly suit that location. A gun foundry.
as l understand. requires q class of expert
workmen, mechanics of the highest skill. l
should imagine that the advantages of
fered by this location would be so clear
that the mere suggestion would be all that
Congress would require"
I'VE undoubtedly nave the location
ready at hand" said Henry Schnull, with
all the advanta ges for receiving and ship
ping supplies. and an economical place of
residence for the mechanics employed"
There should be a gun foundry in the
West somewhere" remarked w. j. Mckee.
IL believe there is none for heavy ordnance
NSS %H aO0 SSA oOL4O
cannon were made at Pittsburg. Such a
foundry would be of benefit to IndianapO-
lis of course. but it really is needed. and no
location better adapted to the purpose can
States Arsenal grounds, east of this city"
Il have not thought about the matter"
said A. b. Conduit, "brt no city can sur
pass us in our shipping facilities. and as a
distributing point"
Our location in the West" said George
w Shan sic thu phief ADVANTAGE Ma ara
sufficiently far inland to make it impossible
for any armed force to reach us. 1t was
upon that idea that the Arsenal was located
here, and now an opportunity appears to
present itself to put this beautiful location
The special benefit to the government in
locating a gun foundry on the United
States Arsenal grounds" said |. S. Gordon,
sis that they will be where there is the
cheapest and best fuel in the world. The
next benefit is that the location can. bv
means of a short switch. be con-
nected with fifteen railroads that
run out in nearly as many differ
ent directions. The ground adjacent TO
the arsenal is the most beautiful in this
vicinity, and it can be purchased cheaply
for small homes, such as the mechanics
employed by the gun foundry would de-
sire. These workmen, a very desirable
class / understand, can live here cheaper
than in any large city in the country
"Our geographical position" said James
T. Layman, rs the best that can be of
fered In the United States, lying central
between the lakes and the Ohio river, and
the time might arrive when it would
be an exceedingly good location. 1t is
worth while for the government to
have some of her ordnance supplies
at a distance from the sea coast. The
arsenal location is a fine one, within easy
reach of a wonderful system of railroads,
and possessing all the facilities for receiv-
ing and distributing supplies. l do not
kh9w whe,nef thls is the connection ID
that the outlook is that the Premier steel
works of this city will prove a success. II
they are, it will be the biggest thing in this
country. and the steel manufactured by
this process is very tough, and just the
thing for heavy ordnance"