Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-10
TRADES COUNCIL WRITES
LETTER TO MONTAGUE
Insists OH Materially Different Views
AS to Government Armor-
Plate Plant.
QUOTES SECRETARY DANIELS
Says Government Can Make Its ;armor
Plate Cheaper Than 1t Can BE Pur-
chased, and Reiterates Charge OF
Padded Prices to Government.

Disclaiming any intention to call into
question Representative Montague's in
tegrlty, but Insisting, nevertheless, on
materially different views than those
entertained by himself with reference
to the government armor-platc plant.
tho Central Trades and Labor Council
yesterday made public a letter written
by that body to the Third District
Congressman in reply to his letter OF
July 81, in which lie took exception to
resolutions adopted by the trade body
some time ago censuring his vote on
the armor-plate proposition.
The letter indicates the reluctance
Of the Central Trades and Labor Coun-
ell TO -prolonG the controversy. but as
seEts the councils desire to free it
self of the Implication in Mr. Monta-
CUES letter that II had acted hastily.
not underratc Mr.. Montague's past
friendship TO labor and labor measures,
and was inspired solely by the desire
to jealousy guard the interests or
those We represent.
SOME PERTINENT PARAGRAPHS
FROM LETTER TO MONTAGUE
Pertinent paragraphs from the let
ter follow:
We were cogniZant of the fact thar
you voted for the amendment permit
ting the government to fix the price
of arfnor plate, but were also acuuaint-
! en- Win the TACT tldt tnlS proposition
emanatcd from the armor-platc trust
itself and was only made after its pi-
ratical hold-up OF our government had
been exposed We rather hesitate to
acknowledge the necessity of the gov
eminent even doing business with a
concern whose gross lack OF patriotism
has not only led them 10 discriminate
against this country in favor of foreign
nations. but which has threatened to
close down its plants if the govern
ment attempted to apply the remedy.
/. I'VE appreciate your desire for econ
omy, but confess that we fail to sec
It's, application. when YOU vote against
a governncnt-owned plant with an APP
preparation OF Loon. 900. and sup
port Mt the same time a general naval
appropriation of $500. 100000. protest
ing that It is not enough. VIII not
the working people OF Richmond have
4 TO carry their pro rata of this also?
we rciteratc our charge that the
armor trust is q child Of tho steel trust.
fathcrcd by interlockinG dircctorates
and government contracts at padded
prices.
You state that the government does
not do business as cheaply as do the
privately owned establishments. and
that the governmcnt-owned plant
would be burdcnsome and expensive.
This is rather at variance with the
opinion Of Secretary of Navy Josephus
Daniels. who says the Navy Depart
mcnt In what II manufactures does so.
from super TO Il gallon OF
paint or pound of powder. cheaper
than the same can be purchased we
again differ as to the condition OF
! labor statistics proving that labor is
better paid and employed under more
humane conditions in government
owned plants, whatever their nature.
than in those that are privately own
.ef and conducted for profit
I'm conclusion. the council desires
TO disclaim any idea of having raised
any question as To your personal in
tegrity, and regrets the necessity OF
having to differ from its representa-
t!Ves, but feels that il would be neGli-
gent in its duty to the interests of
those IL represents had il failed Ia
do so"