The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1913-09-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Special Washington Correspond
ent of The Times.

Bv Clyde H. Tsvenner.
Washington, D. C.-Who woul'
imagine that government like tn
United States of America would pa.
rs for an article that it could manu-
facture itself for $12.52?
But it has been doing this yer,
thing for great many years. Tht
government is paying SIS for AZ incl
shrapnel, the character of ammuni
ton used in heavy field guns, and al
the same timd it has been manufac'
turing at Frankford Arsenal, Phila,
delphia, a portion of its supply for
$l2.52, all overhead charges included.
Field artillery ammunition is not
an exception. The records of the
War Department show that the gov
eminent has been paying private
manufacturers from Is to 80 per cent
more for small arms cartridges, and
from 80 to so per cent more for field
artillery ammunition and equipment,
than it can manufacture them for in
its own arsenals.
The question that naturally arises
is, why has the government been
wasting the peoples money in this
manner? l confess that cannot
answer. have tried to find a rea-
son, but have run across no one in
Washington as yet who could give
me one. | have finally concluded
there isn't any reason; that the gov
eminent has simply been doing it
and we will have to let it 90 at that.
But will the government continue
to pay the private manufacturers ex-
cessive prices? That depends some
what on whether the people are inter-
ested. If the people have no objec-
ton, it is reasonable to presume the
government will not get excited.
have introduced in Congress
series of six bills providing for total
appropriation Of 81, O30, 600 to enlarge
the plant at the Rock Island Arsenal,
Rock Island, ILL.,, so that the govern
ment may manufacture its own field
artillery equipment and ammunition
and small arms cartridges.
The program of the War Depart
ment calls for $2O,OOO,00O worth Of
field artillery ammunition. l believe
the government could save IS, 600, 600
on this order alone.
Ball cartridges, caliber 80, for the
regulation service rifles were made
at the Frankford Arsenal in 1912 for
$26. IS per 1000 including all over
head charges. For the same car
fridge private manufacturers are re-
1884.
Why should the government pay
private manufacturers 81, 7O8 for a
three inch caisson when it is manu-
featuring the identical article at Rock
Island Arsenal for $1,08l, all over.
head charges included?
Why should the government pay
private manufacturers s., 268 for a |
three inch gun carriage proper when
it is manufacturing the same thing at
the Rock Island Arsenal for q, 341?
Gen. Crozier, head of the United
States War College, expresses the
opinion that in the manufacture Of
field artillery gun carriages at Rock
Island, he could save the government
approximately Is per cent of the
prices being paid private manufac.
turers.
The authorized program Of the
War Department calls for the pur-
chase of about 81, 900, 600 worth Of
field artillery vehicles. gun carriages
and equipment. Twenty-Five per
cent Of 81, 600, 600 is q, $50, 600. or a
saving Of more than double the
amount Of the appropriation l askfor.
How much the United States gov
has paid in excessive prices
10 private manufacturers for army
and navy materials in the last twenty
years, would hesitate to guess at
That the sum would equal the cost Of
m entire fleet Of modern battleships,
have not the slightest doubt In the
world.
For the first time since 1880 &C.
cordine 10 the Oldest residents, the
Osaee river has quit running. There |
No sovoral places adjacent to Schell