The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-23
US ARMOR PLANT
UNFAIR, SAYS GRACE
Bethlehem Can Build 4 War
ships in 30 Months, Sub
marine in Five.


WASHINGTON. March can urgent
plea to the House Naval Affairs Com
mittee not to put the private m
ing a Government plant was made to-
day by President ". @. Grace Of the
Bethlehem steel Company.
Some day" said Mr.. Grace. America
will have to be defended from countries
abroad. II hat contingency arises !
believe that II Ia quite important that
all the Americas should have uniform
wal equipment. 1f YOU are going to
put our plants VI Of business | do not
sec what YOU are going 70 do.
III such "A crisis should arrive YOU vii,
find uniform equipment in the United
states alone. with the exception Of some
VIC have sold Argentina. one country
has German guns. another French. Bat
tieships. field artillery, guns. should be
Of a uniform type.
II will challenge any one to say that
the Bethlehem Steel Company has ever
made any effort to influence legislation
in tile way OF procuring a large naval
programme. That is not our business.
We are here to serve the country.
beat Arinor, Low Prices.
81 am tired OF hearing that The build
ing Of armor plants would be an incen-
tive 70 war. Please don't cast tha: kind
OF reflection on US. The United States
is getting the best armor in the world
and at lower prices than ere paid by
Governments abroad.
Il do not ,hink II IL fair for this Gov
eminent to put armor plate manufac-
ture on a competitive basis. 1t il not
"A commercial transaction. We are AT
the mercy Of the Government. II you
want To put us out OF business that is
your privilege. The bethlehem Steel
Company Will go OH doing other work
besides the manufacture OF armor
"lt has been tn" policy Of the Gov
OF England. France and Ger
many TO work hand in hand with private
plants n through private plants. 1t
accounts for the strong position In which
they find themselves to-day"
Mr.. Grace repeated to-day the oNer
he had made before the senate com
! lllltNNS I " sell druloT ~ Tue lils
FOR 1895 a ton OF an estimated pro-
duction of $4,000 tons a year for thc
next Ave years. With the increased
output he said the reduction in price
could be made.
As AN alternative proposition he pro-
posed that the Government designate eS-
pert accountants of the Federal Trade
Commission 10 make examination Of the
hooks OF the bethlehem Company.
81 thai dad tk.t y. .rA A.stttn1 3.
more than SS9j." he added. we shall
eNpec; II. United States to he TAI
enough - pay w.. II they find that W
are not cu,itlei 10 Il ". arc willing tc
have them Tx tho price our propcrtN
Investment Of 5000. 600 ia Dependent
upon the passage ot this hi, II II Is
passed ve ar, through
''Navy Department Biased"
lie said the Bethlehem Company wa.
not willing to have the Navy Department
HN the price Of arnIor because I, i
biassed. lie explained that the armo'
plate plant OF the company had carncC
AN average Yet profit of only Ia pc
cent In the last twenty years.
To indicate the value OF III, Bethlehem
Company. Including all It's plants. 10 ,h'
! United States Mr.. Grace said IL coul'
max. amor faster than ships could To-
built and that army equipment could t'
mad, taste thar the men 10 serve cuult
10, obtained
The bethlehem Company is very bu,,
these days" suggested Rcprcs. ntatiN'
Butter Of Pennsylvania.
~, ar. yc!y busy IN all departments
except the armor plate plant i,plie,
Mr.. Grace.
"HOw long would Z tahc YOU 10 bu!i'
q battle cruiser or dreadnought:'
I'VE could build Il battle rulse in ~,
Years II laid down properly with the co
operation of the Navy II, partment. Blu
NC should want to build the ship com
pleie"
In response to a question by Mr.. Farr
Pennsylvania. as TO how many ship
could be laid down. the witness said IN,
Bethlehem Company could n rtake IN
construction Of four.
Submarine In Five Months.