The Washington times., 1905-04-05
KEEN COMPETITION
IN RIVAL .ARSENA[S
Springfield and Rock Island
Try for Supremacy.
EACH MAKING SMALL ARMS
Western Establishment That Has Ad-
vantage of Waterpower, But
Pays Higher Wages.
EACH MAKING SMALL ARMS

DAVENPORT, Iowa, April 5.-One OF
the keenest competitions ever under
taken in this country is now in progress
nnder the auspices of the Government
1t is a competition between East and
West in the matter of manufacturing
small arms for the United States army.
The arsenals at Springfield, Mass, and
Rock Island, Ill, are entered for the
race. On its outcome great things de-
pend
East in the Lead.
To date the East has scored victory
over the West The cost OF turning out
a completed rife at Springfield is little
more than half rs much, on the product
OF the first year as it is at Rock Island.
But Springfield had a hundred years
start in the race. Springfield made small
arms for the war of 1872 and every war
since. It's great factory has many men
who represent the fourth generation OF
employees in the same work.
The real Importance of this race is
hard to overestimate. Reports on II
will be issued from time to time, and
intense interest is taken by many man
ufacturers who expect to be guided
largely by 1t III
the East or the middle West is on the
whole the better location for profitable
manufacturing
If the Rock Island arsenal does not
.nake n better showing in the next two
years than it has thus far, this section
Of the middle West will have received a
serious industrial setback.
Seek Greatest Arsenal.
If Rock Island should win it is prob
able that the original plans OF estao-
fishing here the greater arsenal in the
world will be carried to completion. Al
ready the Government maintains one
of the greatest workshops on the con-
tinent there.
All sorts Of war equipments have beer
made here since the establishment OF
the arsenal during the civil war except
snail arms This branch was recently
added, the small arms factory having
teen in operation less than year
While at present the wage difference Is
the largest, this may be eliminated
Wages will probably be trifie higher II
the West than IN the East, because
there are no private small arms fac
tories in this part Of the country from
which operatives can be drawn; otnel
advantages favor Rock Island
Heavy Expenses.
Al Springfield there is large amour
of carriage, due to the slow and unsys
tematic development Of the great plant
This is avoided here because OF tn
compact and systematic character
the plant. At Springfield steam is tn
the power; here 1t is water and mucl
cheaper. The small amount of fuel use
here costs much less per ton than tn
large amount used at Springfield.
The black walnut. from which gun
stocks are made. comes from Iowa 10
both Rock Island and Springfield, an
Rock Island has a large advantage i
freight.
In a general survey it appears tina
Rock Island has a great permanent ad
vantage in cheaper power and anothe
in the superior arrangement OF its plant
while Sprinfieid has an immense perma
nent advantage in its superior relatio
to the supply of skilled labor.
Cutting Down Lead.
Springfield has an immense lead in tn
race. which Is being cut down ever
month. In another year it will be small
in three years 1t is expected to ref1et
accurately the difference between til
general industrial advantages OF Ne
England and the mississippi valley as
scat for the most skilled manufacturer.
The men at both establishments TAX
keen interest in the competition as d
the officers and managers. At bot
plants a spirit of hearty cooperation
Shown by all. This spirit of emulation
probably worth enough to the Govern
ment to warrant 1t IN maintaining tw
establishments, just for the sake
keeping alive n good. healthy rivalry