Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-23
Committee Of Chamber Of
y Commerce Has Surprise to
Spring on Competitors.
EXPECT ENDORSEMENT
OF DISTRICT HEADS
Those Working for Project Believe
Commissioners Will Aid
in Efforts.

P. T. Moran, president of the Chamber
Of Commerce, and chairman of the COM
mittee which was named Mt the recen,
meeting of the board of directors OF
the organization to work to have the
government armor plant established in
the District of Columbia, intends to
call a meeting of that committee early
next week.
Also early next week the District
Commissioners are planning to decide
what actioD they will take in response
to the request of the Chamber of Com
merce that they indorse the project OF
establishing the government armor
plant here.
While the Commissioners have in no
way committed themselves as to what
they intend to do or what they think
of the proposition. members Of the
committee feel certain. it was said to-
day, that the Commissioners would do
all In their power to bring the great
Industrial institution to the National
Capital.
Expect to Spring Surprise.
Members of the committee are hard
at work today with their efforts to
bring the armor plant to Washington.
The nature Of this work. however. can
1t Is being kept secret. and to let out
any hint as to its character would an
tictpate surprise which the Chamber
of Commerce plans to spring on the
cities and states which are rivals Of
Washington for the plant.
Secretary Grant said today that 1t is
probable every city and state working
considered by the committee and the
advantages it had to offer analysed.
Then Washington's advantages would
be compared with those offered by each
of the respective rivals.
Plan to Overcome Rivals.
So far as 1t is possible whenever any
apparent advantage which any other
city or state may claim over Wash
ington is seen, steps will be taken to
try to overcome this particular claim
SO that the capital may be placed on at
least an even basis with these other
places in every respect. Then action
will be taken to strengthen the ad-
vantages which Washington claims
over its rivals.
President Moran used more than
customary care in the appointment of
the committee which is to present and
forward Washington's case.
Although 1t Is regarded probable
that no choice will be made for at
least two months. the committeeman
have signified their intention of losing
no time.
Any citizens of Washington who may
have suggestions to make as to how
Washington may strengthen its claim
may write to Secretary Grant at the
Chamber of Commerce.
Final Hearing October 10.
Before leaving this city this afternoon
for New York Secretary Daniels said
that he expected to return here from
his speaking tour in the middle west
about October s, and that he had fixed
October 10 as the date for the final hear
ing of persons interested In the location
of the plant. So far as he knew A1exan-
dria, Va. was the only city whose claims
were to be presented on that date, but 1t
was possible that other cities might de-
sire to submit supplemental briefs in sup
port of those filed previously
During his absence from the city tine
briefs already submitted by numerous
cities, including Washington, will be d.
gested by officials of the Navy Depart
ment in readiness for his consideration
when he gets back.
The Secretary said also that the gues-
ton of the selection Of site for the
proposed experimental laboratory has
been referred to a committee of the
civilian consulting board, headed by
Thomas A. Edison. and Its report might
possibly be ready for consideration on
his return to the city.