Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-07-26
NAVY TO MAKE
OWN SUPPLIES,
Daniels PLANS
Hopes to Have Government
Manufacture All TorpedoeS,
Powder, Armor Plate and
Munitions of War in, Future
fBy Latest NALL

WASHINGTON, ID. CA ''self-sup-
porting" navy. making its own battle
ships, torpedo boats, submarines, tor
pedoes, proiectiles, armor plate, pow
der and all war supplies, Is the ideal
OF Secretary or the Navy Daniels.
He outlined recently his hopes Of a
naval Utopia He believes II Is not
only possible, but probable, that. with
proper financial assistance and ap-
proval from Congress, realization OF
his plans may be reached before the
end OF the present administration.
"Of course" he says, I'VE never ex.
pect TO manufacture all of our own
materials for the navy. We will prob
ably always buy certain amount OF
supplies. But IL is my hope that the
navy will be equipped to make in part
all OF the supplies It uses.
"By manufacturing our own sup
Niles we are not only largely indepen-
dent or private manufacturers, avoid
being held mp in prices, but also de-
stroy the incentive OF private manu-
factnring interests to bring pressure
upon Congress for large appropriations
In the interest of private profit"
Stop bounding Congress-.
II is Secretary Daniels idea that II
the navy is equipped TO make its own
supplies, private manufacturers will
not feel. when Congress comes to ap-
propri ting money for them, that as a
matter of course the contracts will be
let to them. II would then be uncer-
tain whether the money would be
spent in government navy yards or
private manufacturing plants.
The bounding" OF Congress for
large appropriations would then be
largely avoided.
Secretary Daniels pointed out that
the effects of such an administrative
plan we're already seen.
Before the government began to
manufacture its own powder we paid
as high as so cents pound to private
manufacturers" he said.
The price was brought down to Sc
cents This was largely because the
navy found out just exactly what It
cost to make powder.
I'VE then knew what was a proper
price to pay. with proper profit to the
manufacturer.
by making all OF our own supplies
We will be able In the same way to
ascertsin just what they cost-and just
what profit private manufacturers are
making on supplies sold to the navy"
Secretary Daniels said his plans did
not embrace q government monopo-
"" In making naval supplies, similar
to those OF foreign nations. He mere
" proposes that the navy make part
OF each and every article important
TO sustaining itself
To Make Al Powder.
soon We shall have sufficient ca
pacity in our own powder plants" he
said. TO supply al the ships and keep
up reserve supplies-on the recent
footing of the navy, of course.
q In case OF war. Daniels admits, II
would be necessary for the navy to
purchase q great part OF its powder
and projectiles, as we'll as many ships
Cor naval auxilisries.
The capacity of the powder plant at
Indian Head. Nd. on the Potomac riy.
er few miles below washington, will
be doubled within short time, ac-
oording to the navy's head. The tor
pedo projectile plant at Newport. r. l.,
win also be doubled in output capacity.
incidentally, he is keeping in touch
with both plants by personal visits.
In carrying out his plan Tor self
navy in regard to powder
and projectiles, the secretary has more
ambitious plans for the government
in constructing its own dreadnoughts.
He hopes to build one of the new
dreadnoughts Congress may authorize
next winter at the League Island
Navy Yard at Philadelphia.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard has al.
ready qualified in this respect in the
recent construction OF the battleship
New York. Incidentally, 1t WIS com