Bridgeton pioneer., 1913-09-18
By Representative Clyde II. Taveuner.

By Representative Clyde H. Tavenner.
Who would imagine that a govern
ment like the United States of Ameri-
ca would pay $25 for an article that
it could manufacture itself for S12.52?
But it has been doing this very thing
for a great many years. The govern
ment is paying $25 for At inch shrap-
mel, the character of ammunition used
in heavy field guns. and at the same
time it has been manufacturing at
Frankford arsenal. Philadelphia. a por-
ton of its supply for $12.52. all over
head charges included.
Field. artillery ammunition is not an
exception. The records Of the war de-
partment show that the government
has been paying private manufactur-
ers from % to 33 per cent more for
small arm cartridges and from 33 to
30 per cent more for field artillery am
munition and equipment than it can
manufacture them for In its own ar
senals.
The question that naturally arises is,
Why has the government been wasting
the peoples money in this manner? l
confess that I cannot answer. / have
tried to find reason, but have run
across no one in Washington as yet
who could give me one. I have finally
concluded there isn't any reason; that
the government has simply been doing
it, and we will have to let it go at
that.
Governments Future Course?
But will the government continue to
pay the private manufacturers exces-
sive prices? That depends somewhat
on whether the people are interested.
If the people have no objection it is
reasonable to presume the government
will not get excited
l have introduced in congress a Sc
ries of six bills providing for total
appropriation of $1O30,OOO 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 department
calls for $20,0O0,0OO worth of field ar
tillery ammunition. l believe the gov
ernment could save $5,0OOOOO on this
order alone.
Ball cartridges, caliber 80, for the
regulation service rifles were made at
the Frankford arsenal in 1912 for
$26.95 per 1000, including all overhead
charges. For the same cartridge pri-
vate manufacturers are receiving
$3S.O4.
Why should the government pay pri-
vate manufacturers $1,70S for three
inch caisson when it is manufacturing
the Identical article at Rock Island
arsenal for $1,0s1, all overhead charges
included?
Why should the government pay pri-
vate manufacturers $3,26S for a three
inch gun carriage proper when it is
manufacturing the same thing at the
Rock Island arsenal for $2,341?
General Crozier's Opinion.
General Crozier, head of the United
States war college, expresses the opin-
Ion that in the manufacture of field
artillery gun carriages at Rock Island
he could save the government approx
imately 25 per cent of the prices be-
Ing paid private manufacturers.
The authorized program of the war
department calls for the purchase of
about $11.O0O,000 worth of field artil-
lery vehicles. gun carriages and equip
ment. Twenty-Five per cent Of $11,-
100000 is $2.750.OOO. or a saving Of
more than double the amount of the
appropriation ask for.
How much the United States govern
ment has paid in excessive prices to
private manufacturers for army ana
navy materials in the last twenty
years would hesitate to guess at.
That the sum would equal the cost Of
an entire fleet of modern battleships I
have not the slightest doubt In the
world.