The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-12-20
Editor OF the American Machinist
Says the Requirements for In.
terchangeability of Parts De
layed Production 90 Days.
U. S. ARSENAL METHODS
ARE ALSO CRITICISED
The Springfield Plant Has Some
Machinery 80 Years Old, While
Men in Charge Have No Spe.
cial Training to Qualify Them.
By .ssoeistsd Press


/ Washingtun Dec 20 ordnance Of
! ficers were criticised today q, the SEM
ate military committees army inquiry
| hy Fred n CnlNin, editor of the Amer
] lean Machinist for imposing top rigid
rifle specifications. Requirements for
| intcrchangeahllity OF parts he said.
| delayed production three months last
summer and he cited one private fac-
/ tory where last August workmen uu
a "cust plus contract played chcckcys
while waiting for work he'd up. Gov
crrmeut arsenal methods he also crit
cised. .aying the Springfield arsenal
has some machinery nny years old.
while many army ordnance officers.
ne asserted have no special training
10 qualify them.
Correspondence with secretary
! Bakcr which ne prouuced disclose &
a controversy between Mr. CulNin aud
General Crozicr, chef of ordnance
bureau. The former told secretary
Baker that the arsenal officers were
not qualified production engineers
General Crozier said Mr.. Colvln
should be- barred from inspection ar.
senais because he insucd expert ma.
ohinists and not army officers should
| be in charge
Additional testimony regarding de.
lay in machine gunu production was
given by Wee President u. NJ. " Han
sor of tho Colt Arms company at Hart
ford. conn
Deliberations Cause Delay.
Although the new Browning type
Was adopted last MAY he -oid. no con-
tract was made until july althoush or.
! dcrs wer, anticipated and preliminary
work begun. The delay was explained
/ hy Mn Hanson a~ due iu part to de.
alterations of the Joint civilian army
hoard appointed by secretary Baker
TO test and adopt the no. weapon.
| Hanson was "a member of the board
Although given the Browning Eur
| contract in July Mr.. lIanso, -lid tina,
| bccausc OF time ne 'dcd 20 pre- are new
machinery his deliveries would net be
gin until next April IIis firm. how
ever h. making deliveries ON previous
| orders uf Nickcrs machine guns som
| contracted Tor a scar ago
/ Eepardiup government arsenal pro
/ tuctiou. Mr. Hanson said the mpres'
! sion that they are away behind tn,
! times was wrong The arscua's com
par, yer, fuNoubly. hc said. with for.
I
waite factories The principal diff
putN of American ar@ouaIs. he cN-
planned b. bon retaining skilled work.
| mcu RIFLE production has been grca'
| Is increased, me- said uy adoption o'
, the modified Enfield The American
rifle and ammunition. he sadi Hr,
lmuch superior 90 those ut ans Of th,
ltil,- ANA at least equal 90 GrrmanN '-
American machine g.u mauufuctur.
cts. Hanson declared. have mI NlriH
lah no rncoururcmcut from lhis gov
l,rumcut most Of their orders coming
from abroad. in Irpl to question.
Dos senator Nud-Worth trc witness ad'
limited that .f machine gums had heci
promptly ordered when the govern
m,ui went ,ufu tine war GENERA
P,r-hua.- machine sun units now
Would not uc required Geo us" fr"nr'
lurm- tuu mmuuUuH.
| Upon conclusion OF liau"n.- ''''l
uo tt the heriu- was adjourned uu
luI tomorrow when quart ih'"s'''