Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-06

ments, spare parts. and other varied
product incident thereto
Better Equipped Than Ever.
These facts. while interesting in
themselves, are mainly now of value
in proving beyond question what the
arsenal could accomplish in a future
war. for which il is now much better
equipped than even at the close of the
busiest season five years ago. In
the intervening period the machinery
has been rearranged and disposed as
in the emergency was not then pos
sibIe in the manner then decided TO
be most advantageous. \ great
amount of additional machinery has
also been procured. including many
automatic and special machines best
adapted to the arsenal manufactures,
and which, are capable of turning out
in hours. in fact almost in minutes,
what formerly by other methods re-
quirei days for their production. and
at reduction in cost almost equival-
ent to that in time.
The arsenal upon the scale now OPP
Grated provides the soldiers ordnance
equipment Except arms, and will
also seon make them1 for an army of
10000 men. and is besides constantly
adding to the reserve supply. BY
merely taking on additional employees
it could. without delay, increase its
output TO meet the demands of an
army of half a million men, and by
adding additional machinery. for
h.
been provided and IFS disposition ar
ranged for. and also the employees
fer its operation, this output could be
still further immensely increased.
Articles That Are Manufactured.
Besides the saddle in all its parts,
with the lumber used in the
saddle tree, the bride. saddle bags,
caTbine scaEbard, halter. horse brush.
cartridge box, sabre belt. and many
other leather articles included under
the general designation of infantry,
cavalry and horse equipment, are
also made. The haversack, canteen.
cup. meat can, knife, fork and spoon,
Of duck and other material. which
constitute the soldiers more personal
equipment. and of metal, the hits,
spurs, picket pin, etc. which he also
uses. are included in the manufac-
-ureS
Many sets of artillery harness are
annually made. and also the Rumer-
'us parts and general supplies pertain
ng thereto.
The arsenal is now making SlN-inch
carriages for seacoast forts,
4 l. IL,
Ifacture of large number Of the
hrce-inch field gun carriages, model
1909, with the accompanying limbers,
'aissCns, battery wagons, and the
ools. implements. etc. pertaining
o their use. This of itself is Il most
work, requiring the servi-
res of a number of the best meehan-1
cs. and would alone be deemed else
where sufficient task, fer many an
,Stal lishment. though at Rock ISL
md it comprises as stated only a por-
ion of the manufacturing work.
For the past 10 years all the 3.2-inch
ield gun carriages. limbers and Gals
sons, all the 5-inch gun carriages, all
he 7-inch howitzer carriages and all
he siege limbers made for the army
md national guard. have been pro-
iuced at the arsenal. and Il consider
,ble amount of spare parts and parts
or repairs are still constantly being
The arsenal also makes the wooden
argets of different designs and all the
PAPER targets. steel silhouette frames,
md pastors used i'm target practice,
is well as the insignia indicating the
soldiers classification in marksmau-
hip, and the various insignia on sad
lie cloths, rosettes on brides, and
imilar ornamental jewelers. work.
Several years age congress made n
appropriation for the
necessary machinery for manufacture
IF small arms at the arsenal, follow
ny il at the next session with Il suf
icient sum to permit the installation
IF a plant that should turn out about
80 finished rifles per day.
Increase I'm the Power.
The complete establishment of the
plant required Il material increase III
he power provided and also its trans
mission to- the new armory; il also in
.luded the completion of three of the
arge shops. with elevators. Il steam
leating plant. lavatory cCnveniences,
work benches for employees, rooms
or foremen and inspectors. and the
of many minor but es-
ential appliances requisite for eco
lomical and efficient operation. in
'luding even tunnels connecting the
basement floors of the different shops,
which afford MASSAGE for the hea ting
,ipes. fuel oil pipes. electric power
md lighting wires. and for small troll
ey cars fer transportation between
of the various components
# the rifles in the different stages of
heir manufacture.
Over 1000 machines were finally in