South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-23
LEWIS TELLS
STORY OF HIS
FAMOUS GUN
Inventor ASSaiIS CroZier in
Relating How His Weapon
Was Turned Down
Repeatedly.
Associated Press Service

Associated Press Service
WASHINGTON Dec 22-The
story of the invention and develop
ment Of the famous Lewis machine
gun and the disappointing efforts Of
the inventor to persuade the United
States government to accept il with
out cost was told i'm dramatic FASH
ion today by the inventor himself -
col Isaac y. Lewis. IT,. S. A.. re-
tired -testifyinE in the senate milf
jary committees INVESTIGATION Of
the army.
With am occasional show Of heat
col Lewis related his controversy
with Gen. Crozier. chief of ordnance,
whom he severely assailed. denied
that ne FIRST offered his invention
20 the British government. detailed
repeated tenders of his patents TO
the government with his profits az
gregating millions of dollars and
told OF the success with which his
weapon has been used 10y nearly all
81 the allies.
At times Col. Lewis was so severe
in his structures on Gen Crozier and
the war Department that committee
members stopped him. saying he was
too loquacious and desultory' and
was letting his feelings run away
savage Head Backs Up Lewis.
Supporting Col Lewis testimony
was Pres't 4. y Borie of the Savage
Arms Co. which has the exclusive
American license right TO make the
lewis gun. also told of the refusal
of the war department To adopt the
Lewis gun and the achievements Of
chat weapon Both ne and Col
Lewis predicted that sufficient num-
bers OF the Browning gun, adopted
los the war department. would not
loo available for the American
forces. other manufacturers have
testified that the production would
ue sufficient
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Borie's
testimony the committee adjourned
over Christmas. 10 plans 70 resume
examinations next Wednesday of
luartermaster Gen. Sharpe regard
ing the clothing. cantonmeut trans
portation and other questions
col Lewis told the committee that
a~ early as 1911 ne offered to Gen.
Leonard Wood. then chief Of staff
to turn over his invention TO the
government Gen Wood favored ac-
.-utauce. ne said but Gen Crozier
pre- ented IT, Again i'm 1911 and
1912. when me left the active serv-
nee because Of resentment over his
treatment Col Lewis said he re-
U-wed the offer. only 20 have it re-
.eted
offered Eleven DAYS Ago.
his last tender was made i'm "a let
t-r sent 10 Sec'y Baker II days ago.
lie also agreed 20 turn over large
royalties 10 the United states on or
derS OF the invention. but had not
heard from that tender
col Lewis said his offers 90 the
government We're from patriotic
motives His experiences with Cen.
Crozier. ne declared almost su1ed
that patriotism He exhibited a
check for $1,000. part OF $1,000.
he said ne had sent 90 the govern
meut in return OF royalties ON orr
ders. The check was sent 90 SeCy
Baker last February and he said
Gen. Crozier opposed It's acceptance.
ID dnalIy was accepted. bur receipt
was not Acknowledged until two
weeks ago.
After his futile fght 90 get his
patents accepted or his weapon
adopted bv his own government
col Lewis said ne turned 90 Eu-
rome where ne said the gun Gained
instant success Thousands are he
irE used by EuGiaud and France. ne
declared. with many others furnish
ed Russia Italy and Belgium.
VIII Tell Whole Truth.
This country u.s. faciug the struE
cIe of its Ufe. Lewis fairly shouted
after notifying the committee THAI
it would get "the whole truth" from
him. mo matter now unpleasant %
Nv story is being told ON every
battlefield in Europe he continued
III does not have 90 be told here
D have two sons a. the front with
Gen PershinE and 7 want 10 see that
they are protected With the best
weapons i'm the world
The equipment OF our little band
iu France is am outrage To hasn't
amy artillery or machine gums but
what 70 gets from poor poverty
stricken France. The responsibility
81. on the ordnance department. Gen.
Crozlcr IS more responsible than any
living man for the obsolete and i'm
adequate equipment of the Ameri-
can army The Browning sun is o.
picture. Do i- fgment OF the imaEi-
D. "a ar.-@
1CoNTINUED on PACE FoURl