The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-09-11
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
by CLYDE n. TANENER,
Member OF Congress.

| Washington Correspondence III me llmeD. ]
Washington, September S.-Who
would imagine that government
like the United States Of America
would pay So for an article that 1t
could manufacture itself for Sl2.j2?
But it has been doing this very
thing for great many years. The
government is paying so for a.
inch shrapnel, the character of am.
munitiOn used In heavy field guns,
and at the same time II has been
manufacturing at Frahkford ARISEN
al, Philadelphia, portion of its
supply for Sl2.j2, all overhead
charges included.
Field artillery ammunition in not
All exception. The records OF the
War Department show that the gov
erment has been paying private
manufacturers from - to 80 per
cent more for small ayms cartridges,
aud from - to 10 per cent more for
field artillery alnmunitl0n and equip
ment, 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? | confess that | cannot
answer. have tried to find rea-
/ 40, ~, I,,.. rur upr,aa M nna In
| Washington az yet who could give
me one. have finally concluded
| there ISM any reason; that the gov.
eminent has simply been doing 1t
aud we will have to let it go at that.
But will the government continue
to pay the private manufacturers
excessive prices? That depends
somewhat on whether the people
are Interested. II the people have
no objection, 1t is reasonable to pre-.
sumo the government will not get
excited.
have introduced in Congress n
series of six bills providing for II
total appropriation of Sl,030,OO0 to
enlarge the plant at the Rock Is land
Arsenal, Rock Island, ILL.,, so that
the government may manufacture
its own field artillery equipment and
ammunition and small arms cart
ridges.
The program Of the War Depart
mcnt calls for so, 900 900 worth Ut
field artillery ammunition. believe
the government could save Sj,0OO,-
900 on this order nionc.
Bail cartridges, calibrr 30, for the
regulation service rifles were made
at the Frnnkford Arsenal in 1872 for
So o. per 900 including all over
head charges. For the same cart
ridges private manufacturers are re
ceiving $500.
Why should the government pay
private manufacturers 81, 70S for a
three inch caissOn when 1t is manu-.
featuring the identical article at
Rock Island Arsenal for 81 ,0Sl, all
overhead charges included?
why should the government pay
private manufacturers 81, 26S for a
three inch gun carriage proper when
1t Is manufacturing the same thing
at the Rock Island Arsenal for ST.
34l?
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 govern
ment approximately - per cent OF
the prices being paid private manu-
facturers.
The authorized program of the
War Dedartment calls for the pur-
chase of about 81 900, 900 worth Of
field artillery vehicles, gun carriages
and equipment. Twenty-Five per
cent of $ll 200 900 Is 81, 750, 900, or
saving OF more than double the
amount of the appropriation ! ask
for.
How mech the United States gov
ernment has paid in excessive prices
to 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 mn entire fleet cf modern
battleships, / have not the slightest
doubt in the world.
-----a-a--=-Ha.-a--a
Puritans Fond Of Lace.