The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-06
Birmingham Should Make Strong Presentation of
 Claims for Industry
PENNSYLVANIA TO
 MAKE HARD FIGHT
Secretary Daniels Firmly Convinced That the Government Can Save
 Money by Making Its
 Own Steel Armor
Ny c. E. STEWART

agrees with Secretary Daniels that sev- lera hundred dollars ton on armor plate can be saved to the government of the U.'ited States by erecting an armor plate lplant owned and operated by the govern ment. The Senate Tuesday authorized a commission to investigate and report on the site and probable cost of a gov ernment armor plate plant. The commits | sion will be composed of one member of | the naval committee of the Senate and one of the same committee in the House and a navy officer to be designated by the Secretary of the Navy
 l There has been some strong opposition ! to the government attempting to engage | in the armor plate business, but on the whole Congess believes the investiga- l tion of the proposed project worth while. Ons of the principal objections to the project advanced is the argument that the government will find, first, that the original cost of the plant will far exceed the estimates made by the Secretary of the Navy, second. that the government, after building such a plant, will find itself seriously handicapped because twill be difficult to hire the experts Necessary in the manufacture of armq4S plate. But this argument has not sbdken the confidence of Secretary Daniels and the experts of tie navy department who are firmly con- vinced that the government can save a grcater part of the profits of $150 to s20o a con being paid to the private concerns HOW engaged in the business.
 There is going to be sharp contest from the iron and steel centers of the | United States for this plant in the event
 it is finally determined that the govern
 ment shall enter upon this enterprise.
 Two Classes of Contestants
 l There will be two classes of contestants, in fact. Seaports with fine harbors, where l the armor plate will be convenient for | the vessels, will be one class of contenders for the plant, and they are now putting up the argument that the raw materials can be shipped to such a point and the plate manufactured to greater advantage than at some plant where the raw material is, but no harbor facilities
 Pennsylvania will, of course, make a vigorous fight for the plant. And her rep
 rcsentatives in Congress are now talking
 that it would be absurd to think of buid- ing elsewhere If the government is really | In earnest in wanting to economize on the
 manufa cture of armor plate. Pennsylvania leads all other states in the manufacture
 of steel and is better equipped from every
 standpoint they contend to take care of
 an enterprise of this character.
 But the advantages of Birmingham will lnoc be overlooked. Alabama members will watch developments in the case very close ly. Also it behooves Birmingham to get
 busy herself as soon as the commission
 Is ready to embark upon it's duties. Br- mingham not only has the raw mat eria a Ia r1pa hat nv ofb .acoa tion in the country but with the Warrior } river open to navigation, can deliver the , finished product at a seaport. So far as
 the skilled labor is concerned, it car
 be obtained for Birmingham as well as il ) can be obtained for Pennsylvania, whil, [ ordinary labor Is to be had in the soutf equally as good as that in Pennsylvania , and as abundantly
 Estimates Cost at $5,00O,0O
 The Secretary of the Navy estimates that the cost of an armor plate factor, ] will be 5000, ,0O0 and that such a plant vii turn out enough armor plate to build . modern, first-class battleship a year. S twice this amount of plate is wanted thu capacity of the plant can be increased 8 at much les sthan half the cost of tn
 plant with a capacity for one great ship.
 Before the present democratic admins I tration goes out of office, it is more thai | likely such plant will be authorized b. 1 Congress. The sentiment in Congress nov is in thats direction. Birmingham ough to have this enterprise, because for man. , sons it is the logical place for it. Fron
 the standpoint of economic manufactur
 of the plate 1t will be the purpose o the government to locate the plant in tn district which has the greatest economi = advanta ges, and where, of course there I Ia reasonably easy access to the sea. Bir , mingham has all these, and it will b . up to her to prove it to the commisso in control of the proposition beyond an : question. In this effort she will have tn l aid of the entire Alabama delegation.