Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-04

dreadnaught to a gallon of paint or a
pound of powder, cheaper than the
same can be purchased. This is par
ticuIarly true Of the most expensive
instruments of war, but it is equally
true Of gasoline engines. electrical
supplies, engines for dreadnaughts,
shrapnel, clothing for marines, sail
Ors, Announcements, and a multitude of
other articles required for the fleet
and shore stations
Government manufacture will mean
that the wOTkmen who perform the la
Dor Of actually making the munitions
will receive higher wages and better
working conditions than il the con-
tracts for war materials are awarded
the private munitiOn firms, among
which are numbered the most bitter
enemies OF organized labor in the Uni
ted States.
Right at this point l want 10
read something from the report OF an
Official government investigation as TO
the working conditions at one OF the
plants receiving a large part OF the
government business-the Bethlehem
Steel Co.
The inquiry was made by the Uni
ted States bureau Of labor in 1910, IN
der the direction OF Ethelbert Stewart.
2. special agent OF the labor bureau at
one time, who bore the reputation OF
being one OF the most experienced eco
nomic Investigators in the country.
The government Investigation re
vealed this:
That out of every 100 men ~ were
working seven days every week.
THAT out OF every 100 men 10, IN
GLIDING these %, were working SONIC
| Sundays in the month
That out of every 100 men 81 were
working y hours day
THAT out of every 100 men % were
working u hours day seven days
week.
THAT out of every 100 men IS were
( earning less than 50 a day.
! .sWorkingmen Of the nation, are
YOU willing that your government sAiill
+ continue 20 give contracts running III
~ millions annually TO firms that nave
/ noistroafed and underpaid their en-
nIovees as have these great war-tfaI-
/ Ticking concerns? If you are not VIII
/ ino then protest against 1t. But lie.
/ INC assure YOU at the outset that one
nrOtest will not be sutncleht- me
! chances are YOU will have to speaA
+ loud and often before your voice VIII
/ he heard in far-Off Washington.
DECENTRALIZATION of the manufacture
I of war paraphernalia Oners a pFosI ram
on which all save those dlfeclly VI ~
GiractIv interested in private war
raaict5ing concerns may unite. Wheth-
or in favor OF disarmament, vastly IN
/ creased armament, or maintaining the
! nreeeut armament, all can meet on
! ror,n,on ground. Those who desire
greater armament can OBTAIN II
through government mani tIl.
I U-ftho1t nIacing increased burdens up
/ on the taxpayers o
I "Tf those who demand such ldIBe
army and navy are wholly sincere anu
/ if their only desire IS tnat We Sne-- i
/ have the strongest possible army ana
80 wbv should they not want US 10
: oTtsfp the maximum defensive power
. or the maximum striking power io4
everv dollar we appropriate, instead Oh
! orIv "a cents worth or hghllhs
strength for every dollar approprlaI-
ed? ,,,,,,,i-
t{ors submarines, aeroplanes, anu 80
forth. in its own plants the go'eIHI'l IL
win be able TO keep Tor It's own uaS
ANY improvements IN such VeIIictes u
v-ar Under the present policy OF CIV
,,,- ,he major mart OF military con-
tracts to private concerns ~ mas peei,
ir,poesible 10 do this. Even now,
eavs Secretary Of the Navy Daniels
The improvements in armor ana the
Ieeigne worked out by the navy nave
been embodied in the warship or an
ntber marion recently finished by the
Bethlehem Steel company and pun IN
TO commission This is not an argu-
meDt lightly TO be disregarded IN favor
~ a government armor plant, nor has
il been overlooked, for instance py
japan. which has erected It's owl
iarrnor-making plant and suFFouiu ~ u
il with such secrecy that none 81 tH e
other nations is able 10 ten "h'I-Hel
or not at this minute the ia
srmor may not be superior 10 any
other in existence.
.Tnder the present system the gov
eminent is at the mercy Of few con-
Germs having a monopoly OF the manu-