The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-27
Secretary Daniels Replies How
ever Government Is Deter
mined to Proceed With Plan
NO SHELL AWARDS
AT QUOTED FIGURES
Munitions Contracts VIII Be
Withheld So Long as Amer
lean Manufacturers Hold
Out For Present Prices

Washington. Jan. 26-Charles NJ
schwab's efforts to bring about
truce In the Administrations warfare
on exorbitant munitions charges coll
lapsed late today The steel mag
mates peace mission to Secretary Dan
iels only brought forth an official an
nouncement that the Navy Depart
ment still adheres to its charge that
unpatriotic motives" actuate AmerS-
can mnpitions makers, particularly
the Bethlehem company.
Mr.. Schwab's earnest endeavor to
onvince Secretary of the Navy DAN
tets that american bids on Shells are
not too high met with complete fail
IRE, MIR. Schwab aud the secretary
were in conference fully two hours.
Secretary Daniels, after cabiue:
meeting late today issued the fiat
statement that the government Will
build projectiles plant. as well as
an armor plate plant regardless Of
what prices are bid at this time for
shells and arnor plate by private
manufacturers. The secretary de-
elared emphatically that no awards
for proJectilcs viii go to any tirm
unless the prices they quote ara worry
tAHch lower,
Daniels Stands Pat.
Secretary Daniels. after HI, talk
VITA Mr. SFRWHb, SAID,
u aul I,ot at liberty 10 disclose all
that Ne talked about [ cs.a say,
toS s+.''=. IIar my attaude stdl re-
l., .R@ unf hanged American lids en-
s'e. a. too nigh. No manufacturer
e.A fs* 7N.- l"t our contracts On the
ISIS as 4.rtres recently quoted.
The f~thIehcm Company promised
81 ae'iYes- $4,000. 0ta II g and I4-inch
aeeseE profcetIies IN thirty months II
-. 4.
viii havr our own plant in opera
or. ~ least a par, OF these shells
Wiji be- made by the government. have
decided and unless prices are material
! reduced we Will make all of them.
NJ. S@hfv,fj, according les the secre-
taTE. promised 20 take up The matter
o. nigh bids on bis sun nrojectiies with
President EraCe, of the Bethlehem
Company aud the question Of high
Kids on battle cruisers with preeident
16well ot the Fore River Shiphuiding
Company.
Field out Olive Branch
I came here only TO discuss the APP
parent misunderstanding between our
companies and the government In
general way and to re-assure the Navy
Department as to our patriotic
motives" Schwah said 4 told the
secretary that the bethlehem Company
and that We wanted the government to
feel that our steel plant Is an asset
upon which the government may de-
pend In time of war or emergency"
when Secretary Daniels expressed d
desire TO get down to actual facts and
fg..rss In his talk with Mr. Schwab
the latter referred him to the heads of
the various companies. Then the sec
rotary emphatically told the steel
n1agnate that nothing could now head
the government of from its purpose 10
build the. proposed government plant
VIII Not Give Up
The steel masuate left for New York
Immediately after his visit to the Navy
Department II was said hare that he
probably will return TO Washington
later and submit some definite PROPOSE
ton to Secretary Daniels In some
quarters II was stated that an ofer to
make the shells over which the con-
troversy arose, with small allowance
OF profit to the manufacturer. to be
agreed upon. might be given favorable
consideration by the department.