The Washington times., 1905-12-24
BEST PROJECTILES
TO Be MADE HERE
The Firth-Sterling Company
Manufacturer.
WILL SELL TO GOVERN MENT
Navy Department Its Biggest Buyer
So Far, But Army May Pa
tronize Firm.

tTonlZe Firm.
The best projectles of war in all the
world, better than are being used now
D. any army or navy, will be manufac-
cured in Washington, at the nation s
seat of government. and at the source
of the demand for such material, ac-
eording to the present calculations of
the ofhcials OF the war ana Navy De-
partments.
Ths proposed construction of the pro-
jectile plant at Giesboro Point. opposite
the Arsenal grounds, IL looked upon as
an important move in the operation OF
the American army and navy of the fu-
tGre.
So far as can be learned at present.
the Government has not made a contract
with the Firth Sterling Steel Con .rlny to
take any certain amount OF the product,
but Il is admitted that when The big
Pittsburs company has an adequate
plant OF its own at the Government {
doors. it will be in better position 10 out
bid competitors and 10 give better salts
faction I'm the grade OF product fur
nished.
Some Big Producers.
Among the biggest producers OF
projectiles and armament for the
Government at the present time are
the Midyale Steel Works and Bethle-
hem Steel Company. The Firth-Sterl-
ing Company also has found the Gov
ernment big buyer of its product, the
Navy Department alone having spent
S1.00O,0O0 with that company during
the past year. The amount during the
coming year will be even larger.
According to representative of the
company in this city, the business of
the Pittsburg company has grown to
such an extent within the past few
years that either an addition to the
plant, which Is located at Demmler
near Pittsburg. or 4 new factory had
become necessary.
Having in view the Government :
need Of material and the large bust
ness il already is doing with the
Navy Department particularly. it was
decided by the directors to enter more
seriously and extensively into the
manufacture OF projectiles. and i'm
stead of building an addition TO the
plant. they set about instituting a
factory in Washington, solely for the
manufacture Of projectiIes.
Department Reticent.
Naval officials are reticent about
the matter. saying that their under
standing with the Firth-Sterhrg Com
pany has not yet assumed a form
sufficiently definite to warrant giving
It publicity.
1t was admitted. however, that the
company puts out high-grade
product that meets the Government
requirements. and with the new plant
and added facilities here. it is antici
pated that a stiIl better projectile viii
be made In that case. the new plant
will turn out practically all the pro
jectiles required by the Navy Depart
ment.
Although the department is expected
to buy at a market as cheap as is con
sistent quality is always demanded. ano
rather than risk delay in obtaining the
class Of material required. the contract
sometimes fails 10 go the lowest bidder
Company's Advantage.
While II has been pointed out that il
does not matter to the Government
where its material IS manufactured. Sc
long as IL is delivered in a satisfactory
condition at the stipulated price. the
Pittsburg people are proceeding on the
theory that by being in the city. wirh-
in easy access TO the arsenal, Navy
Yark and proving grounds at Indian
Head. as well as close 10 the officials
OF the War and Navy Departments
they viii have a decided advantage oyei
all competitors.
70 10 -~f
ognize the value of this and is giving al
announcement possible to the enter
prise. In fact. IL is understood that th'
department practically has given Z
guarantee that at least 81 1900 WORT
OF proiectiles shall be purchased annual
y OF the local manufacturers
Rear Admiral Mason. chief OF tn
Bureau of Ordnance and Equipment
when seen yesterday regarding the en-
terprise was reluctant 10 discuss IL
saving there was little 70 give out a
the present time. He stated. however
that the company is an old one. thor
oughly reliable, and produces n higl
grade material He said no doubt tn
erection of the plant here would &c
great boon TO the Navy Department a
well as great thing TO the city in gen
ersl.
War Department Buys.
The War Department has not pa
tronized the ,F1rth-Steriing Compan
as heavily as the navy branch has, al
though it is stated that there has neYe
been any fault found with the com
panys methods or its grade OF prod
uct-
The contracts Of that department al
most invariably are let TO the loves
bidder, so II is rot optional as 90 whom