New Britain herald., 1917-01-26
STEEL AND STEAL.
Steel can be spoiled two ways.


 From the trouble that the United States Navy department is having with the steel manufacturers in this country it is evident that the other method of assembling letters for this word could easily be put in practice. The Navy Department feeling it was being made the subject of a hold-up by the great barons who control the steel industry in this country, placed the 1917 order for projectiles and shells with a foreign firm. This firm, the Hat1elds of England, has now been forbidden by the British Govern mont to fulfill the contract until after tho war.
 Navy department is sore pressed for a solution of the problem. The bids of the American concerns seeking the work were anywhere from fifty to seventy per cent in excess of the prices asked by the English firm. The time of delivery was double in the case of the American concerns. Thus, ] with foreign competition eliminated, 1t looks as if the United States gov ernment will have to submit to the stipulations laid down by native cap ta1ns of industry, pay the exorbitant prices asked and wait twice as long for the material.
 When the preparedness agitation swept the country need was seen of increasing the facilities of govern ment ship yards. To this end orders were issued that these plants be en- larged. Also, it was thought advisable to set up national armour plate factory. And plans for this were con- : pleted and the project Is under way
 But neither of these two precautions offer a remedy to the condition in the
 field of projectiles. Armour piercing shells cannot be made in the ship
 yards, nor in the armour plate fac
 tory. Even the United States Navy
 Yard at Washington which is equipped
 with modern gun shops is not equal to the emergency. Unless something is ; done forthwith the United States goy-
 ernment will be forced to submit to the impositions of the steel industry.
 The Navy Departm ent will have to pay
 the prices asked, and, in addition, will have to wait until these concerns are
 ready to furnish the orders. whtob will be anywhere from one year to eighteen months longer than the time ! the work might have been completed by the Hatf1elds
 . Because of this condition. becaus. of what has all the ear-marks of g r hold-up by the steel men, because O , the enormous prices asked and tn, long delays that will be manifested ! patriotic men throughout the countr, who had hand in the preparedness , campaign are advocating radica | methods. They would have the Gov ernment commander part of privat IL intuition works of the country, whicl
 the Government can do under the De
 fense Act, paying such prices for thes " plants as may be determined by V board of compensation, and thel supply the Navy with material so tha
 the nation might be protected at al , times.
 t Looked at from a point of nationa l. safety, delays such as are likely t. $ grow out of the present situation ar t a menace to the country. The Unite, U States government cannot afford to b. without the necessary equipment fo it's army and navy no matter hoy U much these munitions cost. It is t, l. the interest of the people, of course to secure shells at the cheapest price Il provided the goods bought measur, Up to the standards imposed by tn,
 havy tests. But, cheap or dear the, must be purchased. If the steel me1 o want the name of their industr, spelled the other way, let them per sist in their present practices Ther
 shall the Government be justified ir
 taking radical steps.