Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-02-07

With the rupture Of diplomatic re-
lations with Germany the munitions
situation in the United States be-
comes OF the first importance. It takes
precedence OF all other factors of
preparedness. Armies can be raised
and volunteers, trained for active SER
vice In less time than q year. but the
manufacture Of shells, cartridges,
high powder and field guns and rifles
to equip the armies for modern war
fare presents a problem Of the ut
most difficulty. Unless plants are
ready 70 begin the work and carry IL
on night and day the troops will be
ready long before their complete
equipment for a campaign. In what
with the problem7
A timely report on the munitions
situation has been made By a board
OF investigation appointed BY Con-
gress November 10, 1916. II consist
ed Of Colonel Francis J. Herman,
Twenty-eighth Infantry; Lieutenant
Colonel Charles p. Summerall. Field
Artillery; Major Lawson M. Fuller, u.
8. A., retired; MIR. Benedict Crowell.
OF Cleveland, and Mr.. r. Goodwin
Rhett, OF Charleston, s. G. II called
before II representatives of all the
private industries now making mu-
nitions and the officials in charge Of
Government plants All the public
and many Of the private plants were
visited and a mass Of testimony was
taken.
Primarily the investigation was to
learn whether II would be practicable
and desirable for the Government to
manufacture its own arms. munitions
and equipment. In its report the
board is constrained TO answer this
question in the negative and with en-
phasis. II recommends that plants
built up by private industry be en-
listed; that the Government plants be
enlarged; and that all munition in
dustries be organized and corordina-
ted for prompt expansion to full ca
pacity, night and day and made
ready for immediate use"
Estimates OF the Chief OF Ordnance
10 cover the nations needs are given
in detail and summarized by the
board In these words:
The first estimate, which covers
merely extension to meet without
the assistance of private plants, our
immediate peace needs in the way Of
current expenditures and the slow ac-
emulation OF a reserve for 100000
Of men, calls for $4,000, 900. The
second estimate. which covers the adj
ditional plants needed 10 meet our
war needs. without calling upon pri-
vate plants. based upon the require
ments of 100000 Of men in the first
year OF war and to equip and main
tain a second million for such part Of
the first year OF war as this second
million could participate in, calls for
s4as, 100000. The third estimate diff
fers from the second by supposing
100000 men, additional to the
original 100000 10 be brought into
service during the first year of the
war, and It calls for additions to the
existing arsenals costing 1897 900, 900.
The second and third estimates will
continue indefinitely TO supply the
needs Of the forces named (2.000,000
and 100000 respectively. and VIII
also meet the anticipated needs OF
the seacoast defence.
All OF these estimates are on one
shift basis, and none OF them includes
the price of new sites.
AS to the capacity Of Government
plants. the board, after reviewing the
matter at some length. says:
Capacity has no significance except
as Il bears on relation TO needs. And
so considered the utmost capacity OF
our several arsenals is below even the
prospective peace needs of our ex-
banded military establishment and II
fades into insignihcance when the
possible demands Of war are called to
mind.
The board sees way out OF this
difficulty and points it out in language
unusual in the formal reports gen
orally submitted to Congress:
Those who have studied attenuvely
the history OF this country in it's past
wars have been moved TO say that in
our day Of need a benevolent Provi-
dence has stood between us and ouI
peril. Today. without conscious Of
fort to that end, situation has de.
veloped through which II we regard
the Immediate future as charged witt
danger. we may also see the wrok
ings OF that same Providence. Fol
two things have happened, or are II
process OF development, which e