Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-04
CONGRESS TO PUSH
MUNITIONS PROBE
Rejected Cartridges of AL
lies Palmed Off on u. S.,
Is Charge
FRANKFORT INCLUDED

Congress will probe the defective ammu-
milton case. in which the Frankford Arsenal
is included.
resolution offered by Representative
McLenore, of Texas, asking for House
investigation, was adopted today. Shortly
afterwsrd 1t was ANNOUNCED that Secre-
tary of War Baker would appear before the
Senate Military Affairs Committee tomor-
row morning to lay before the committee
all facts in his possession regarding the
shipment of defective ammunition to the
American forces In France. The Senate
hearing. suggested by Senator Chamber
lain, OF the committee, will be public.
M'LEMoRES CHARGES
American munition manufacturers palmed
off on the War Department rife ammun-
tlOn which had been rejected by both the
English and French Governments, Repre-
sentative McLemore declared. But few
scattering votes opposed passage of his
resolution asking for the facts
When the desired information is re-
ceived. Mr. McLemore viii seek the crea-
tton of committee of seven members OF
the llOuse--four Democrats and three Re-
puDliCanS--tO make sweeping inveStiga-
tion of the entire munitions iudustry's deal
inss with the Government since the decara-
ton OF war
At the outbreak Of the war some Amer
lean munitions makers learning t.la, tney
facture of defective munitions. the Texan
directly charged on the floor Of the House,
sacrificed quality for dollars. This resulted
in much Of their output being rejected by
inspectors OF the Allies. Enable to dispose
of this stock. they stored it and palmed It
off on the American army when the oppor-
tunity arose, he declared
An independent investigation by a House
committee Of the defective ammunition
furnished by Frankford Arsenal will re-
suit from resolution offered by Repre-
sentative Dent, chairman Of the House Mil
itsry Affairs Committee. His resolution
calls for a committee of seven OF the COM
mittee TO Inquire fully into the ammunition
problem.
Secretary Of War Baker today authorized
an investigation suggested by General
Crozier. chief Of ordnance,
officials at the arsenal SAID that they
welcomed an investigation. The trouble that
resulted in bad cartridges has been rem
cdied, according to an official who added
that there was no evidence to show that as
many Tss one-third Of the cartridges were
faulty;
General Crozer. in making the sugges-
ton for the probe expressed the belief
that the defects found in the ammunition
probably were due to American chemicals.
lie RECALLED the fact that virtually all the
Allied Governments, specially England,
France and Russia, had similar trouble at
the 9ntbreak Of the war
When those countries began to manu-
facture' theig own potassium chlorate. here
tofore' obtained. from. Germany, 1t de-
,erioratet byfreason! !ot. containing bromats.
The camel thing according to experts, has
happened iir the small. arms ammunition
made in.the United states.
Experts say that the matter easily can be
corrected and that it ia we'll that the de-
Fectve chemicals were found in the primers
at this rather than later. date.
General Crozier discounted sensational
stories, circulated here, that the bad chemi-
Gals placed in the primers were the result
of German influence. He said he believed
the chemical had deteriorated and that
the inquiry would show this.