The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1917-09-27


the end of the war, justly or unjust
ly, with the greatest scandal in the
history of this republic.
This declaration in the House of
Representatives came as the climax
to bitter debate of an hour over
profits to which rifle makers are
entitled. Representative Meyer Lon
don, New York Socialist, made the
prediction, after he had sat through
a Republican-De wrangle over
the rifle makers 6 per cent on in
vestment, 10 per cent profit and an
allowance for depreciation.
Chairman Fitzgerald of the appro-
prietions committee, in charge of the
s7,775,000,00 urgent deficiency bill,
tried to shut off debate and push the
bill to passage. He complained that
the House should pay no attention
to scandal mongers unless the scan
dial mongers could makes case. Idle
rumors should not affect the House,
he said.
"These idle rumors, !" declared Lon
don, "of which the distinguished
chairman has complained will come
back again and again to poster and
annoy the administration"
Uncle Joe Cannon interrupted:
"Many persons in this country are
engaged in striking for better wages;
many of them are engaged in strik-
ing for recognition of the union
Does the gentleman call these per-
sons businessmen or patriotic men 2"
London answered that the man who
strikes for a living wage cannot be
compared witch the men who, making
a million dollars profit, strikes for
two million. He then went on to
predict that the government will be
forced to seize and operate the mu-
nitions plants.
Would Seize Factories
eff there are but three factories
in the entire country that can man
ufacture rifles" he said, "the only
solution is to seize those three fac
tories and to put their superintend-
ents and every member of their
board of directors and their foremen
and very worker upon the same basis
on which you put an army in the
field. Seize those factories, take
possession of them, squeeze out hte
element of profit. But this is So
luton that the businessmen, chair
men of the advisory committees, will
never suggest, you may rest as
sured."
Sherley of Kentucky engaged Lon
don in tilt over communicating la
Dor when communicating property.
London replied he would not COM
mandeer human beings until inspira-
ton and other means has failed. Sher-
ley retorted that it was possible to
inspire and persuade organizations
into doing work for the government
in the same manner, as economically
and as cheaply as ever. To this
London demurred.
"The people and we who represent
them here" he declared, twill be con-
fronted at the end of the war justly
or unjustly, with the greatest scan
dial in the history of this republic"
The three munitions plants refer
red to by London are the only ones
in the United States capable of man
ufacturing the 1,000,000,000 modified
form of Enfield rifles which the gov
eminent must have to equip the army
which it is about to send to France.
The three concerns are the Rem
ington Arms company of Delaware,
the Remington Arms Union Metallic
company of lion, AZ. Y, and the
Winchester Repeating Arms company
of New Haven, Conn.
Demanded $44 a Rifle
Taking advantage of the necessi-
ties of the government, the three
concerns hold out for contract
which amounts to about $44 a rifle.
The same concerns made 100000
Enfield rifles for the British govern
ment for sgt each.
The government, in it's own ar
senals, has manufactured the Spring
field rifle, which is equally expensive
to make, for SIT as maximum fig
ure.
The contracts were signed for
the government by Brig. Gen. Will
liam Crozier chief of ordinance, upon
the advice of the munitions board of
which Frank A. Scott is chairman.
Representative SESSION of Missis-