The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-07-20

ceedingiy sensitive as an explosive. Will
come within the classification Of other
explosives" This tax on guncotton will
prove burdensome to q number of i'm
Portant domestic industries to which Il
= essential In the products they manu-
facture.
Have Enjoyed Prosperity.
I'VE admit that tho manufacturers OF
gunpowdcr and other explosives nave
enjoyed q period OF exceptional pros
pertty during tho past eighteen months,
but that the net results accruin9 have
justified Congress In placing upon them
no such burden OF taxation az Ia con.
templated by this bill.
while We have received what might
appear as high prices for our products.
e espe hays oee W, forced to meet unusual
came. IT found us with a military ex-
plosivo capacity Of approximately 10000,
wv pounds per annum. To meet the de-
inands made upon us necessitated our
multiplying this capacity many times.
all preparation being made under pres
sure and regardless OF cost"
AZ the threshold Of this undertaking.
70 insure harmony OF action and attract
standard never before known In the ex-
plosives industry. At the same time we
gave notice OF Q 20 per cent bonus to all
employees. and. In addition. placed every
sns onaef BASH. ss on eon she
tons compelled Us 70, go Ia Ereat ex-
pense. inciosinR our plants In such q
way as to protect them from destruc-
ton. illuminating adjoining territory.
parable only to standing army.
PRICES Went Up.
10 Prom the dGte Of the -rrrt contract.
We were forced 10 faoS an ever-ascend.
ing scale Of prices on raw materials;
nor were we ever permitted to forget
the fact that when the war was over,
the buildings erected and the machinery
placed. representing millions of dollars.
would stand for little or nothing In the
way Of value.
I'VE fear that many Of the features
consideration before deciding to impose
this tax. We have ever responded
cheerfully to any taxation levied BY our
Government. but when such action IL
our business. singing US out AS speci-
fic objects OF penalization, we feel that
We are in duty bound to protest.
In conclusion the manufacture of the
particular military explosives which are
likely to DO taxed out Of existence nave
contributed. probably more than any
other industry, toward the revival OF
trade IN this country.
Inc Qu f'Ont company alone has abb
sorbed nearly LOO. 900 bales OF short fiber
cotton formerly Of little value and has
paid handsome prices therefor. greatly
to the advantage Of the Southern States.
1t has paid directly in wages alone in
the manufacture OF military explosives in
the last year and half about $500
responsible for the expenditure OF q
greater amount to the labor on raw
materials and machinery which It has
purchased.
sit has contributed amazingly to in
come and corporation taxes. and the
enormous expansion that has been made
assures our Government a supply Of
smokeless powder and high explosives in
case Of war, which previously was never
dreamed Of. All this has been done
without the Government contributing a
dollar Of expense.
There can be no preparedness with
out 'gunpowder and other explosives
In a broad and liberal scheme OF pre-
paredness,' can Congress take chances
on killing bv taxation those industries
without which there can be no pre-
e. /. pu pcoNSTT fpe E fNESMStRs a CO.,
p. 8. DU POINT,
President"