Evening times-Republican., 1913-09-08
WAR DEPARTMENT IS HANDI-
CAPPED IN CASE HosTlLI.
TIES SHOULD BREAK.
SEVERAL BILLS IN CONGRESS
TO REMEDY CONDITIONS
Proposal Made for Manufacture Of
Ammunition at Government Arsenal
at Rock IsIand-cIaim Made That
Plan Would Save Millions Of Dollars
-comparative Cost.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Sept. S.-Should the
United States become involved in war
with Mexico or any other powert he ut
ter weakness Of the war department
with respect to an adequate supply OF
shells and ammunition Tor field artil-
lery would be Immediately revealed.
This fact has come out in connection
with the introduction into the house OF
a series of six bills by Congressman
Tavenner. the purpose Of which Is to
enlarge the plant at the Rock Island
arsenal, at Rock Island. ILL.,. so that the
government may manufacture its own
field artillery equipment and ammu-
nition and small arms cartridges.
Senator Lewis, Of Illinois, has as
sured Mr.. Tavenner that he Will press
for the same legislation in the senate.
General Crozier. long chief OF ordnance,
is for the legislation and especially so
for the reason it would make 1t pos
sible for the government to provide IT
self with an adequate supply OF field
artillery ammunition.
Could Save Money.
The shortage of the government on
ammunition for the field artillery IS
indicated by the fact the program OF
the war department calls for $20.00O.-
coo worth of field artillery amnuni-
tion.
Il believe the government could save
s., 100000 on this order alone salo
Tavenner.
Army officers are not incHneo 70
emphasize the weaknesses Of the mil
itary arm but the weakness OF the neio
artillery branch is impossible to con-
ceal. 1t is admitted by army onicers
that it is a fact. Member OF congress
who have taken the pains to inquire
into the situation know 1t. Congress
man Tavenner understands 1t and that
is one Of the reasons why he Is urging
the legislation he proposes.
Not only is the army OF the United
states far behind the armies OF Europe
with respect to the number OF neId
guns which could be marshaled for
service in case Of war. but when II
came to the ammunition supply the
batteries would be unable to carry on
a prolonged campaign for lack OF am
munition. Ordnance officers and other
army men have been compelled to
think hard on this phase OF. the situa-
tion in connection with proposed cam
pairns in Mexico It IL true that a war
with Mexico would not lay the strain
on the field artillery that conhict
with a first-class power would. out ~
would nevertheless be needful to nave
n,entv of all kinds of ammunition IN
sight.
Extravaaant Policy Revealed.
The introduction of the bills which
have been put in by Congressman
Tavenner has called attention to the
extrayasant policy Of the government
for wears in the matter OF providing
ARMY and navy materials. A sample
OF the extravagance In respect 10 am
is cited by Mr. Tavenner IN
with making shrapnei. MI
Tavenner said:
"The government is paying $25 for
Al inch shrapnel, the character OF
used in heavy field guns
and at the same time 1t has been
at Frankford arsenal
q portion OF its supply for
s12.52. all overhead charges included.
Other field artillery ammunition ana
small arms ammunition are no excep-
tons to this. The records OF the war
department, as studied by Mr.. Taven-
ner, show the government has been
paving private manufacturers from 2b
to 80 per cent more for small arms
cartridges and from 80 to so per cent
more for field artillery ammunition
and equipment than the cost OF man
them in tbs own arsenals.
Where Saving 10 Possible.
The total appropriations provided
for by Mr.. Tavenner are $1.o3o.0o0 to
enlarge the Rock Island plant. II this
were done, Mr.. Tavenner calculates
tho saving to the government would be
enormous. He estimates a saving OF
IS 600, 900 on field artillery ammunition
alone, a saving of s2.750.000 on the
s11 coo, 900 worth of field artillery We
hicles. gun carriages and equipment
for which the army program provides.
heavy savings on ball cartridges for
army rifles, and, in short. savings all
along the line with respect to ammu-
milton and equipment Tor field guns
and ammunition for small arms. AS
an Illustration Of the saving which is
possible. the private manufacturers
charge 33.2es for q three-inch gun car
riage when the government can man
ufacture and is manufacturing the