The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-11

washingtons brief, setting forth the
advantages Of the Capital as a site for
the new sl1.0o0,000 armor plate plant
was filed today with Secretary OF the
Navy Daniels, and members of the
Navy General Board.
One striking arg ument made in the
brief Is that the location OF the plant
here wiuld permit use of Great Falls
to furnish power for the proect.
The brief was fled early this morning
following its approval last night by
members of the Chamber Of Commerce
at its first fall meeting.
p. T. Moran. president OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce. and leader in the Tight
for the armor plate plant. said that he
believes washington's chances are ex-
tremely bright.
Washington boosters have had two
hearings before the Navy General
Board and at these hearings arrange
ments were made for tire filing OF the
brief before the last day for consldera-
ton OF the plant site. which Is tomor-
row.
washington's proximity to sources
OF raw material and its transportation
facilities are two points mentioned In
the brief The District is said to be
less thar fifty miles from limestone
quaITies.
Has Every Facility.
Washington has every facility for
quick and safe transportation: first.
of the material from mine to plant and,
second. OF the finisher product from
plant to shipyard." the brief states.
The Baltimore and Ohio and the
Pennsylyanis :. systems cover every
The advantage OF the Potomac river
as a safe channel for Cuban iron ore
Is also pointed out.
las to the facilities for shipping
completed material, a tidewater site
would undoubtedly be best from this
point OF view,' the brief says. since
water transportation IL cheaper than
rail transportation and does not I'M.
pose conditions as to size and weight
OF armor plates which are imposed on
land transportation.
The cost of land transportation for
armor plates Is not excessive, put me
sizes OF cars, dimensions OF tunnels;
limit on the size OF armor plates. il
these conditions were not imposed, II
might be found best in the future 10
make larger armor plates. which would
be an advantage from the point OF view
Of the efficiency of the armor In pro-
supplied"
The brief points to further special ad'
vantages of Washington as a site toI
| the plant. 1t says that the United
States Government already owns SUIT
| able dte OF eighty-seven acres, oil
which one side Is a Potomac river water
front OF twenty-nine feet in depth.
Unique Position.
In the Great Falls Of the Potomac.
the brief continues, with Its POSSIBLE
tiles of tens of thousands horsepower
Washington has position unique fol
power for the proposed plant. and the
utilization OF the harnessed falls woulc
mean saving OF thousands of dollars
for this project alone. and solving fol
all time the problem OF light. heat. re
| frigeration. and the thousands OF use
| to which electrical current Is now put.
| Attention Is also called to the proN
! unity OF the Navy Department ant
| personnel OF the Navy Bureau. who vii
| be responsible for working at the prob
| lens OF the plant. Other groups o
| trained men in various Government bu
/ reaus also would be available for an!
contingency that might arise.
| Should the proposed plant be estab
| lished within a reasonable distance o
the existing naval proving ground. a
Indian Head, Nd, the ballistic tests o
plates could be conducted at that sta
ton" the brief continues.
"Washington's conditions OF housing