Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-16

letter Of appreciation like this new
er does any harm. We are all human,
you know, and when one is working
day and night to accomplish something
for the best interests of his people,
and somebody writes in Keep on try
ing, we appreciate it," the natural
effect is to make one want to start
in all over again and work harder than
ever
Everything possible is being done
TO secure the S250,0OO additional ap-
preparation for the arsenal, and every
indication at this time is that the
campaign will be successful
Should the appropriation be made.
the government would save not less
than s1,50O.OO on field artillery equip
ment in the next 10 years, and prob
ably a great deal more
FIGURES IN EVIDENCE.
AS evidence CT this fact It is only
| necessary to cite the recent purchase
I by the government Of 1872 limbers
for a certain type of field artillery at
cost of approximately $1,4OO per
/ timber from q private manufacturer,
whereas the Rock Island arsenal man
ufactures the identical carriage at
$3.50 each. But the arsenal is two
years behind on this equipment, owing
TO lack of adequate facilities, and the
ordnance officials deemed it unwise
to place any further orders there at
this time, pending the desired appro-
priation by congress.
The fact that two of the 10 i'm
mense arsenal shops are now being
used simply for storage purposes. and
that with a minimum of expenditure
could be utilized for manufacturing
purposes, seems to appeal with con-
siderable force to many members of
congress as an excellent reason why
the suggested quarter Of a million ap-
preparation should be allowed. Then,
again, the government waaerpower
plant at the Rock Island arsenal is
recognized as model of its kind, and
provides power in ample quantities
for any demand that would be Great
ed by the operation Of the two add,
tional shops. In fact, only $3.50 horse,
power is now developed by this water
through the use CT 81 of the 40 tur-
bine openings. With all these openings
in use about $500 horsepower could
be developed, and the government has
the right, should it so desire, to har,
ness the entire Mississippi at this
point and develop a minimum of $4,000
horsepower. This latter figure, how
ever, is far in excess of any present
or estimated future need.
Up to date the government has
spent S12,S20,OOO in the construction
of the splendid modern manufacturing
plant at the arsenal, and the tri-city
delegation has suggested to the ap
!, preparations committee that inasmuct
as the additional S250,000 requested
would increase the output Of field ar
tlllery material at least 100 per cent
il should be granted on the grounC
OF business efficiency and government
! economy.
q PREVENTS DIsMIssALs.
Unless the appropriation is grant
ed, it is declared, $50 skilled mechan
les at the Rock Island arsenal vii
I lose their Jobs at the beginning of tn
e next fiscal year, July l. If the mon
Z ey is forthcoming these men, who ar
g now engaged in the manufacture o
, small arms. of which the government
a now has an adequate supply, will b
!. absorbed into the enlarged field al
; tillery plant, and engaged in the man
r ufacture of gun carriages. limbers
l. calssions, battery and store wagons
; howitzer batteries, pack outfits of al
kinds and harness and horse equiv
> ments for the mobile artillery.