The Washington times., 1906-03-11
POWDER FACTORY
MAY Be ERECTED
Government TO Take This
Step Against Trust.
ROBERT WADDELL TESTIFiES
Tells Congressional Committees Uncle
Sam Is Now Dependent on
Combine.
ROBERT WADDELL TESTIFIES

A a result of charges that the Unit
ed States is wholly dependent in times
of peace and war on a gigantic powder
trust, the preparations Committees of
both houses of Congress have about
decided 10 recommend the establishment
Of a Government powder factory.
While il is disclained that there is an
intention TO enter into competition with
private manufacturers Of powder, the
fact that $500, 600 has been tentatively
fixed upon as the amount OF money nee
essary for the Government Plant, leads
10 the impression that the charges Of
the existence of a powder trust have
been well sustained
Those who have been fighting the all
legged trust have maintained that a
plant suitable for all purposes can be
built and equipped for that sum of
money
Has Government by Throat.
The Senate Committee on Appropria-
tons, in continuance OF an inquiry
which il has had in progress for several
weeks. heard Robert S WaddeH. of Pc
oTia, III, behind closed doors yesterday
relative 10 charges which he had pre-
viously filed with the committee, and
upon which General Crozier, chief of the
Bureau OF Ordnance of the War De-
partment. and other army officials have
already testified.
Wadden yesterday presented facts and
figures to bear out his charges that the
trust had the Government by the throat
and that il was a founder and a party
10 the international agreement between
itself and European dynamite manufac-
turers. fixing prices and dividing the
markets OF the world He charged that
the trust has an absolute. exclusive mo-
nOpoly of all the resources Of national
defense, and that It is levying extortions
amounting to millions of dollars yearly.
Makes Large Profits.
WaddelI charged yesterday that the Du
Pont Company owns ana controls the
Latin & Rand. International. and Cal
ifOrnia powder companies. He said that
they all bid separately the same price
for ordnance smokeIess powder. 75
cents per pound. the United States Gov
eTnment TO furnish the alcohol which
costs approximately cents per pound.
This powder is made by the company
under inspection OF army and navy off,
GERS stationed at the plants He de-
clared that when completed. with all
salaries and expenses added. the powder
cost the trust not to exceed So cents a
pound.
He submitted records to show that at
one time the Du Pont Company charged
IS and 80 cents a pound that the In
ternational plant was built and that
competition reduced the price. where
upon control was obtained of the Inter
national product.
He estimated the capacity Of the sew
eral plants about as follows: Du Pont,
1000 pounds daily: 2.IOO,OOO pounds yea
ly; Lafiin & Rand, the same capacity:
International. 6.000 pounds daily; 1907
600 pounds yearly; California. 400
pounds daily 10000 yearly. He stated
that the three Eastern sea board plants
are in almost constant operation and
he estimated the net profits at g. 900
year on a total capacity of 100000
pounds
Not Opposed to Private Enterprise.
He produced estimates to prove his
statement that the Government could
build and equip plant at not TO ex~
ceed $4,000. He declared that the in
dependent manufacturers of blasting
powder and dynamite are back of him
in his fight against the trust
The sentiment of the committee as de-
Neloped yesterday was In favor of q. Gov
ernment establishment. not, it was an.
nounced, OF a size to enter into COM
petition with private manufacturers. but
sufficient to form an establishment at
which officers of the army might be
come acquainted with the processes Of
powder making, and which establish
ment could be extended in time of war.