Evening journal., 1915-01-11
rhe AssoeiAtion 81
MONDAY JAN. IL, 1915


MAXIM AS WAR PROPHET.
III UDsoN MAXIM a known the world over
n inventor of guns. proiectiles and explosives
contributes TO New York paper a ful-page article
on the American aftermath Ct the European and
the openness TO European attack of the An ercan
factories Of powder ammunition, and rifles.
In view Of the fact that he contends that the United
States IS destined fight whoever wins the present
European war, the picture he paints Is far from
pleasing when looked at from the American side.
Mr. Maxim insists that a hostile army of 100000
men might make landing near New York and In
short time capture practically all OF such manufac
tories. He says that within a radius of one hundred
and sixty miles of that city dotachments from that
army would find the smokeloss powder works OF the
United states army and the Picatnny Arsenal, where
all the smokeless powder ami high explosives of the
United States stored, Dover, ~ j. about
thirtyhve miles from New York. also they would find
there the big naval depot ammunition and explo-
syes
At Bridgeport, Conn. they would find the Union Me-
tallic Cartridge Works and the American British
Manufacturing Company's works for tho manufacture
OF rapid-hre cannon, and at New Haven they would
find the Winchester Repeating Arms and Cartridge
Company's works and the Marlin Firearms Works AT
Springfield. Mass. they would find the Smith and
wesson revolver works and also the United States
sena where rifles made At Hartford Conn,
they would find the Colt Patent Firearms and tho Pratt
and Whitney works; at Ilion, n Y. the Remington
Small Arms Works, and at Utica n Y, the Savage
Arms Works.
They would find Of most important big gun
factories at Troy, ~ Y, and another at Bothe-
hem, Pa. where also much of the armorplate is made
The big Cramp Shipbulldng Works would be found at
Philadelphia They would find at Groton. Conn, the
factory whore all the interior parts Of the Holland sub
marine boats made, and at Fore River, Mass the
big shipyard where tho Holland submarine and other
vessels constructed.
nh.
Works at Bridgeport. the United States Naval Torpedo
station at Newport, r. L. and of biggest navy
yards. together with the g. W. Bliss Torpedo Works in
Brooklyn. The New York Arsenal they would find un-
protected on beautiful Governors Island. They would
md the great DUPONT smokcles Powder Works at Car
neys Point Parlin and Pompton Lakes. n. j.. and at
various points in New Jersey the largest most inn
portant high explosive works in tho world.
Take map of the United States and with pair
OF compasses, with point placed the Hudson
river al Peekskill, n Y, draw a circle with radius
OF a hundred and sixty miles. There will be included
within that circle all OF the aforementioned ammuni-
ton and armament works which constitute nearly all
the smokeless powder works cartridge works torpedo
boat works and big armorplate works in the
United States Also this circle will not include only
New York and nearby cities. but Boston, Albany SYRIA
cuse Philadelphia and the most important coal fields
OF Pennsylvania
"Whas prize for the invader!" Mr. Maxim says
what crime leave unguarded the solar plexus Of
Uncle Sam compassed within this circel The reason
have not had with of the Great Powers
during tho past twenty-five years the Euro
pean balance of power has protected us Whoever
may win in the present war; doomed to fight the
winner"
Nh. Maxim characterizes nonsensical the opinion
entertained by Dr. David Jordan and others that
manufacturers of materials foment disorder and
promote in order to bring themselves more bust
He says
~ have for long time been associated very closely
With the manufacturers OF materials especially OK
ploslve materials. and a know whereof I speak: and
do know that such belief is the Interest nonsense
The manufacturers Of war materials with whom
acquainted are among the staunchest Of
peace men, and they would no more be guilty
Of promoting to bring themselves business
than reputable surgeon would be likely 10
string cord across the street to trip up pedestrians
and break their limbs in to bring himself bust
ness.
III Dr. Jordan better acquainted with the manu-
facture Of war materials, he would know that they
be made cheaper. with equal excellence by private
concerns than by the Government Furthermore he
would know that big manufacturers Of war materials
are obliged to employ very large force of skilled
labor and that this labor has TO be supplied employ
ment when there Government orders for wal
materials. For instance the manufacture of armoi
plate by the United States Steel Corporation is on,
small part Of that company's business
The manufacture Of guns and armor plate by tn
Bethlehem Steel Company does not keep It constant,
occupied. and has furnish other employment fo
its when Government orders are not forthcoming
Consequently It IS obliged 70 make things besides
arnor plate and guns and material The duPon
explosive companies do FAR larger business in hgl