Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-31
DANIELS BREAKS GROUND
FOR BIG ARM0R PLANT
Beginning of Expenditure Of $22,-
100000 In Charleston, w. Va,
by U. s.. Government.
THOUSANDS IN ATTENDANCE
Former Senator Chiffon Gives Re-
sumo OF Great Undertaking-War
to Continue Until Prussian Autoc-
racy Is Destroyed, Says Daniels.

CHARLESTON. w. VA. August 3d.
With ceremonies attended by thousands
OF people from several sections OF the
State. ground was broken on the 211-
acre site in South Charleston this after
noon by Secretary of the Navy Joscphus
Daniels for the government armor
plato and projcctile plant. On this site
the United States government will
spend an appropriation recently award
ed by Congress Of approximately sea-
100000 for the construction Of the mu-
milton and armament plants.
= Previous TO the breaking Of ground.
former United States Senator William
z. Chiffon gave a resume Of the big
undertaking. Governor John J. Corn
well. Of West Virginia. said the oc-
casion marked an epoch in the State
and nation.
Secretary Daniels was introduced.
and said the administration was &C
lively engaged in promoting the dream
OF statesmen for tho past twenty years.
relative to the government ownership
OF the armor plate and projectile plants.
AGITATION STARTED MORE
THAN TWENTY YEARS AGO
Agitation was started more than
twenty years ago." said Secretary
these plants. One Of the principal rea-
sons was the fact that three manu-
facturers, with no reference to cost OF
DreadnouEht that were Identical to the
cent
Congress mado a new departure
when it appropriated funds for these
plants" he said. This is the first
time a naval base has been located not
on tho seaboard. It was recommended
that the plant be located with reference
to safety in times OF war. and the
Naval Board construed this to be at
least 200 miles inland.
T urged that tho best location in
America be chosen, and the wisdom
OF the officers, who intensively studied
tho conditions, recommended tho loca-
ton here.
when I accepted the ONCE OF Sec
rotary Of the Navy. I had a few we'll
formed ideas that 1 hoped to put into
effect The armor plate plant was one
OF these IDEAS
FIGHT FOR ENFRANCHIsEMENT
OF MASSES OF GERMANS
Regarding the war, Secretary Dan
iels said: I'VE are going to continue
war until Prussian autocracy is de-
stroyed. We arc doing that for the
acknowledgements of masses OF Ger
mans who have no voice in the gov
eminent Of their own country.
Germany began this war for "a place
In the sum-" said the secretary. 1T
has conducted it with the idea that 1t
the only place. We believe that there
can be no peace in the sunshine for
any nation on earth underneath the
no sunshine even for tho people OF
Germany themselves.
'Unmoved by possibility OF material
advantage or conquest. patient amid
aggravation and aggression, hoping
against hope until the last moment that
this madness OF the imperial German
government would pass away. America
has at last drawn her sword, not only
for her own rights. not only for her
own existence, but for the very e1-
istence Of freedom itself upon tho
earth, and 1t will not be sheathed until
victory Is won"
Mr.. Daniels asserted that "ln prepar-
ing for a terrible war the navy Is
taking the surest means to bring about
an early and effective peace"
let there be no fear that rumors of
peace or possibilities of a cessation
of the struggle will cause us to remit
one moment our activities on sea and
on shore" he said. Not until The
peace treaty is actually signed will we
remit one single item from our program
OF preparation. Our citizens need have
no fear that we will be luIled into any
relaxation. or deceived by the mirage
of peace which is no peace. into slack
entng of our activities"
The secretary declared that the gov
eminent had been dilatory in providing
for It's war needs. Had attention been
given to the far-sighted advocates of
preparedness. he said, the country
would not have entered the war with
wholly inadequate facilities.