New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-22
Pass Bill Providing for
Government Factory to
Cost 100000.
REJECT SCIENTIFIC
BOOKKEEPING PLAN
But Strip Measure of Pork Bar.
rel Opportunities in Selec-
ton of Sites.
From The Trftun. Bureau

Washington, March GA govern
ment armor plant to cost not more
than sll.000,OO0, but no businesslike
plan of ascertaining the cost Of the
armor TO be produced by II, was Au-
thorized by the Senate tonight by a
vote Of 90 TO o. Opponents Of this
bill in particular and Of government
ownership in general centred their
fight in vain on an effort TO have char
tered public accountants plan the book
keeping system under which the plant
would be run. so as 10 make any jug
Cling of the figures impossible. They
believed that this would clearly de-
monstrate the wSte and extravaganza
Of government operation.
The bill was stripped Of it's pork
barrel opportunities by an amendment
offered by Senator Wadsworth, Of New
York, and accepted by Senator Tillman
for the committee which provided that
the location of the proposed plant or
plants should be selected by the gen
eral board Of the navy. The principal
point of his amendment, Mr.. Wsds-
worth said, was TO establish the prin-
ciple that the locations Of the plants
should be determined by strategic and
not pork barrel arguments.
With the acceptance Of the amend
ment by Senator Tillman opposition TO
it died away, and 1t was adopted with
out a rollcall.
Senator Weeks offered an amendment
providing that instead Of constructing
government plant the Secretary OF
the Navy should enter into negotiations
with armor plate manufacturers TO de-
termine price TO be paid for armor
during the next five years. The Sen
ator pointed out that by allowing the
private manufacturers 10 continue
making armor the United States would
have the advantage Of selling this
armor abroad, as already had been done
in the case of Italy and some smaller
countries The amendment was killed.
The unwillingness Of the Democrats
20 permit chartered public accountants
10 devise d system Of bookkeeping for
the srmor plant was the biggest sur
prise Of the day Only three Demo
cratic Senators were willing to permit
what might possibly result in an eX-
pose Of the extravaganza of govern
ment ownership. These were Senators
Hoke Smith and Hardwick. Of Georgia,
and Newlands. Of Nevada. The obi
tion raised by the committee was that
IL might interfere with the bookkeep
ing system Of the Navy Department.
Ii Was not possible 20 get a ciear-cut
lineup on this amendment, because
Senator Norris. Of Nebraska, proposed
substitute which directed the Secre
tary Of the Navy to keep an accurate
account Of the expenditures of the
plant, so that Congress should be in
formed as 10 the cost per ton OF the
armor produced.
THAT is acceptable 20 me-" declared
Senator Swanson for the committee.
That would not interfere with the
present system Of bookkeeping Of the
Navy Department.
Senator Weeks declined TO accept the
substitute, but it was adopted and then
made part Of the bill
Nine Republicans joined the Demo
Gratis in passing the bill. They were
Borah. Clapp, Cummins, Gronna, Ken
yon. Norris, Poindexter, Sterling and
Works.
Opponents of the measure are hop
ing, If not 10 defeat or smother the
bill in the House, at least 70 radically
change il in conference. The House
Naval Committee has set aside to-mor-
row for consideration Of the measure
with view 10 reporting II promptly.
and Administration leaders are plan
ming 10 take it up soon after passage
Of the army reorganization and immi-
grafton measures.