Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-15
MUST LOWER COST.
Rock Island Arsenal Engaged in
Race With Springfield Ar. e.
raj for Business
IN MAKING OF SMALL ARMS
More Economical Work Here Will Be
Followed by Increase in Force
Employed.

Rock Island arsenal is about to en-
er in a race with Springfield arsenal
with view to demonstrating that the
new army rifle can be manufactured
IS cheap.y here as at the old armory
n the east.
II the MANUFACTURING now in prog
-ess at Rock Island arsenal were ex-
tended to the assembling of rifles
laily output of 100 rifles a day would
be the result. The assembling is now
being attempted owing to the neces-
sity for devtsing a more practical
oayonet for the rife. This will be set
lied soon. it is expected. and then the
work of assembling Will proceed
To Prove Their Efficiency.
The complement of men needed in
the new armory department is practic-
ally complete as far as numbers is
concerned. but the force is far from
perfection in proficiency. The item of
cost Is the issue which decides the
future of the armory at Rock Island
arsenal. and today, with an unframed
force of operatives, the cost of manu-
facture here far exceeds that at Sprinr
field armorY with its well-drilled shops.
tried-out machinery and its experience
of quarter of 4 century or more.
If Rock Island arsenal cannot com
pete with Springfield in the matter of
minimum cost of manufacture, il IS a
possibility of the future that the ar
mory here will be abandoned and. the
machinery will be transferred with II
view to centering activity at Spring
field. But with an outlay of a million
dollars or more, Uncle Sam did not
calculate that he would have TO aban-
don operations at the local arsenal
for he had confidence in the business
capacity of Col. Blunt, the commandment.
and the force of assistants and opera
tives he would assemble here.
If Rock Island arsenal does give
evidence of the practical. business
like management that has character
,Zed it TO date, tire prospects are for
4 further increase OF the mmufactur-
Lg capacity here. Springfield armory
today has capacity OF 400 rifles a
day. The wonder is t22t Rock Island
arsenal with an experience since last
Ma GElJ has seen capable of armfny
mere than ha'f of n full-sized rcgi-
ront every week. BUt this las been
done at probably twice the cost as at
Springfield armory As the force be
comes more thoroughly trained this
extra cost is becoming reduced month
after month.
Has Some Advantages.
Rock Island arsenal has the adyan-
tage over Springfield as to expense of
other items of manufacture exclusive
of operatives. At Springfield the ex-
pense of carriage is heavy, here it is
practically nothing. Springfield uses
steam power, Rock Island arsenal
rises water power. The walnut wood
for gun stocks is sent from Iowa to
both armories; the cost of freight this
way is lighter than to the eastern post.
Rock Island arsenal has an ineXhaus-
tible supply of coal near at hand. but
Springfield has the advantages in be
ing able to secure skilled help near ut
hand.
1t is up to the men of the arsenal to
lend valuable aid toward winning the
race for recognition. and they are tax
ing hold with a spirit Of hearty cooper
alton Many have already been chang
cd from day scale to piece wages as
they have acquired proficiency in their
respective departments. There are 500
men now employed in this department.