Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-03

at sharp loss as the average price for
ten years was about two cents per pound
| whereas the present cost is between six ana
seven cents
ARMS SUPPLIES
About 100000 tons of structural steel and
$1,000 tons of armor plate are needed for
work already begun for the navy or about
TO begin. One steel man said that the
immediate needs OF the Government will
command from 10 to 20 per cent of the
entire production of the country.
There will be, however no shortage of
munitions when the United States forces
actually take the field agains: Germany
This was insured today when the NUM-
tions Board. composed or experts in tine
manufacture of supplies I'm that line. met
here. They conferred with the chiefs OF
the army and the navy. and the general
plans for speeding up the manufacture OF
arms and munitions to meet the existing
deficiency were completed
The plans as completed are. of course
withheld from the public but 1t was stated
they viii provide for systematizing of effort
on scale never before attempted by any
nation in the world. Everything that the
army and navy needs will he rapidly forth
coming, II was stated.
1t was admitted officially today that every
detail OF this Governments part I'm the war
must be considered on the three-year basis !:
lhaN a. uSeIe is lnat
the health and individual effort of the ma
tion must be therefore conserved and
directed with this fact in view that labor's
part will be vast in war that has de-
manded in a few months the same amount
of labor production that former wars have
required in year.
PAY-BY-TAX PLAN
The Presidents suggestion that the ex-
penses of American participation in the
world war be met by taxation has met with
instant opposition among Republican lead
crs
Representative Mann Republican leader.
let 1t be known that he did not think the
proposition sound or practicable. Other
leaders share Mann's view that such
course would be contrary to all the prece-
dents of meeting extraordinary expenses in
the past Mr. Mann is of the opinion that
an enormous loan must be Immediately con-
tracted. lie points out that the bonds OF
the Civil War period are still unpaid.
are those issued during the Spansh-Ameri-
can War and for the construction of the
Panama Canal.
Republican leaders take the view that
no scheme of taxation can be put Into
effect which will raise money Immediately,
and that therefore a bond issue will have
TO be resorted to, The most that can be
expected from taxation, at least in the
early stages of the war. they say. is to
meet the interest payments on the bonds.
Mr.. Mann sees trouble ahead If the Demo-
Gratis increase income taxes along lines
which it has been suggested that they ia.
vor. For instance, a suggestion has been
made that income taxes for the war period
be Increased by the assessment of all OF
an individual income over 100000 year.
The question Of revenue raising is still
of course, in the embryonic stage of dis
cussion 1t will occupy many days and
Va fha Wau
Committee when that body finally is formed
$6,O0OO0O FOR LEAGUE ISLAND
Announcement was made three months
ago at the Navy Department that the next
division Of funds for improving navy yards
would contain provision for the construc-
ton Of the new shipways ut the Philadel-
pha yard This was the outcome Of agita-
tion, extending over three years. IN behalf
of appropriations for a new drydock 1900
feet long and connecting the Delaware
River with the reserve naval BASIN or Back
Channel. and shipways big enough to per-
init the building Of frst-class battleships.
Provision for the $6.000,000 which will
be spent here was made In the naval ap-
preparation bill after Secretary Daniels's
announcement in December. Up to the
present the shipways at the navy yard
have not been large enough to accommo-
date the construction OF anything bigger
than scout cruisers and transports. One
hospital ship the Henderson. has already
been launched from the smaller ways. With
the completion OF the new shipways the
navy yard here will be in a position second
10 none In the United States. with respect
to ability TO build the most advanced type
OF heavy battleshps.
P WILSON'S