The Washington herald., 1915-10-21
new arms PLANT
HERE IS PLANNED
Secretary Daniels Reveals
Ideas in Speech at
Raleigh, N. c.
TO ASK APPROPRIATION
Factories for Manufacture of Pro-
jesiles and Armor Plate May
Cost $4,000, 900.

The announcement OF Secretary Dan.
iels in speech at Raleigh. N. c, yes.
terday that he will ask Congress this
year to provide for the esta bIishment OF
a government owned armor plant and a
government projectile factory was re,
ceived with much interest in naval
circles here.
Mr.. Daniels had previously intinated
that he would resume his efforts of the
last two years TO have Congress provide
for the erection OF a government armor
plant 1t was not known, however. that
he contemplated asking also for an an
preparation with which to build a gov
eminent proJectile factory. This latter
announcement gave rise 10 the suggestion
that the projectile factory may be COM
bined with the proposed armor plate
plant 20 as to make but a single estab-
lishment.
The proposal Of a government armor
plant Is not new. having been several
times Investigated by Congressional and
departmental committees. Last year. a
committee consisting OF Chairman TIL
man. Of the Senate Naval Committee.
Chairman Padgett. OF the House Naval
Committee. atnd Rear Admiral Joseph
Strauss. Chief OF the Bureau OF Ord
nance OF the Navy Department. made an
other investigation. The committee was
not entirely in favor OF the project but
its attitude was more In support OF the
plan than against II. II was estimated
that to create the plant and put IL in
to operation would cost about 5000. 900.
Tells of Naval Policy.
The plan has met with a great deal of
opposition in Congress. chiefly on ac-
count Of the large cost.
Secretary Daniels. in his speech yester-
day. dwelt largely on his policy OF having
the Navy Department do more Of lis
construction and manufacturing.
The department" he said. lis steadily
Increasing its policy OF fitting navy yards
10 build ships and making government
plants ready 10 manufacture large guam
titles Of the munitions OF war
In my recommendations which will be
considered by the Congress which con-
venes in December are two important
recommendations. along with others OF
less Importance. which will enable the
navy to be free 10 make a large part OF
its own munitions IL private concerns
charge excessive prices. as has some
times been the case when the govern
ment Is shut up TO buy from only two or
three manufacturers.
An appropriation TO enable the Navy
Department to manufacture its own
arnor plate will be asked
The time has come for the navy 10
build a factory OF its own which should
have been created In 1907 when the
money was available. II has been as
certained by a special commission that
the navy, with 4 modern plant, can
armor plate from s25N 10
$50 as against the non-competitive prices
Of SIS to siss charged under the last
An appropriation for a projectile fac
tory also is wanted. Experience in Eu-
rope teaches that the Navy should no
longer rely upon private manufacturers
for proiecties. We are now, for the
frst time manufacturing three-inch and
six-inch shells In the navy yards at Mare
Island. Charleston and Norfolk, and IL
Congress approves we will erect a large
factory which will turn out a large prod
lct of fourteen-inch armor-plerincE
shells. as well as the smaller Proiectiles
This will insure better shells and better