Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-23
DESIRES ORDNANCE
PRODUCED QUICKER
Secretary Daniels Explains
Request for Funds to Ex-
pand Navy Yard Plant.
CONTRACTS HARD TO PLACE

IN statement explaining his re-
quest for an appropriation OF sI.ooo.-
coo to increase the capacity of the gun
factory at the Washington navy yard,
tracts for guns. mounts and other ord
nance supplies ARE becoming increas-
ingly difficult to place"
"a large amount of money in advance
has been allotted for the construction OF
shops that. after the present emergency,
will theoretically become part Of the
navy's property. although, due to the
scattered locations, it will not be practi-
tent in the navy's activities" continues
the statement. Funds expended In an
extension to the Washington gun fac
tory would result in quicker return OF
manufactured ordnance material at de-
cfdedly less cost and give a permanent
installation of great value to the navy.
Had not the navy possessed the present
factory. the supply of all ordnance ma
terial would be SO much less efficient than
It is at present that the matter would
have undoubtedly been forced to public
notice. The bureau of ordnance can order
direct and obtain material from this fac
tory. and this alone. The matter of ad
ditonal guns and mounts is most urgent
owing to the demands made by our own
and other governments for such equip
ment
Adapted to Meet Increase.
The naval gun factory. possessing
as 1t does complete organization and
large working force, Is readily adapt
ed to increasing its facilities for de-
livery of guns. mounts and other mu-
nitions. To develop any other source
is not only expensive. but involves
matter of long delay. 1t is. therefore,
considered to the best interests OF the
government to increase at once the
capacity of the Washington navy yard
To- mi
telescopes. sights. optical instruments
and miscellaneous ordnance supplies.
For this purpose 1t Is proposed to con-
struct the necessary buildings. crane
ways, storage and handling facilities
at an estimated cost complete OF
chinery to cost S2.5O0,00O additional.
An appropriation of $7.5oO,G0O for this
purpose is earnestly recommended.
The proposed work includes the
construction of a large six-story ma
chine shop for mines, mounts and tor
pedoes: a five-story pattern and wood
working shop. an extension to the
power plant, a new brass foundry. an
extension of the steel forging plant.
an optical shop, range-flnder towers.
administration building. quarters Tor
enlisted personnel under instruction
and the extension of the yard service
system to supply adequately these new
structures.
Means Increased Production.
with the accomplishment of the ex-
tensions contemplated ample manufac-
turing facilities will be provided for
the manufacture of from 800 to 600 tor
pedoes per annum, at least 5000 mines
per month, a large increase in the man
ufacture of guns. mounts and other
ordnance accessories and the manufac-
ture and repair of the larger part OF
the optical work for the entire naval
establishment.
ut is thus apparent that the ex
penditure of these funds is amply war
ranted as an evident and urgent mill
tary necessity. Capt. Willard. acting
superintendent of the naval gun fac
tory, estimates that after improve
ments requested have been completed,
with the plant working at full ca
pacity, the annual saving in cost of
ordnance materials will very nearly
equal the frst cost of the improve
ments. On this basis alone the ex-
penditure would appear to be amply
justified, while on the basis of military
necessity for the purpose of increasing
the country's output capacity and at
fording production for ordnance ma
terial that cannot be produced else
where the project would seem to be
an urgent need"