Evening journal., 1918-03-01


this most vital branch of equipment?
on January IS the production Of
rifles for the United States army
crossed the line Of requirements Since
that date vB have not merely had suf-
flcient rifles for every United states
soldier abroad or In training camp who
IS to use a rife but a reserve sufficient
TO replace any wastage or loss that
would be met in service.
Rifles are now being turned out at
approximately 10000 each day, or
more than $4,000 each month-suill-
cient for The equipment of some IS
army divisions monthly As this pro-
duction is much greater than the num-
Der OF additional soldiers that can be
trained and transported TO France each
month, allowing also O maximum fg-
ure for wastage OF arms in use. there
need to be no further apprehension as
20 inadequate rife supply.
With more than 100000 rifles now
on hand and with production at
about 2500O0 guns monthly, our sup
plies Of rifles within the next few
months win be such that It is proba-
bic a reduction 10 monthly output will
be made to about 100000 guns monthly
in order that some OF the labor and
materials now used ln building up 8
constantly increasing surplus may be
used In other lines Of war work
The standard Z S Army rife IS the
Springfield, Acknowledged 20 be the
equal. II not the superior. OF any army
rifle IN the world When we entered
the war we had on hand 576 i6i OF
these guns Our facilities for p Oduc-
ing them were 40 the Springfield arm
ory and the Rock Island arsenal
i was Immediately evident that these
two plants could not supply. In time
the great numbers Of new guns re-
uuired New plants would have 20 be
placed on the work
The Winchester and Remington
Arms companies 10 this country had
been engaged In producing Enfield
rifles for the British armies. They had
~ veloped great resources for ride pro.
duction, and their contracts with the
British government were virtual,
complete.
The question then became whethe
we should require the Winchester anl
Remington plants 20 readiust thel
plants for the making Of the Sprlngflel
rifles. or should utilize the facilities al
ready perfected and adopt for our US
the British type Of weapon
The British rifle, however. Is not On
most enlcient type Of gun. 70 uses
trimmed cartridge which, IN rapid ac
ti0n when the gun gets hot is liabl
10 cause trouble by iammlng tn
Springfield uses rimless cartrldg,
with which jamming Is reduced {
minimum
Eneland herself was on the point q
changing TO the rimless cartridge whe
the war broke out
There was no time then. however
Tor her TO overhaul the design of he
gun. which would have necessitated
large conversion OF cquinment She ha
70 so ahead with the design already
manufacture
For us TO have stood by the Sprinf
hold model alone would have meant
delay Of at least 30 months In ovel
hauling the eduinment OF the Remint
ton and Winchester plants. To hal
adopted the British model In the forl
England was using it would haV
necessitated the use by our army
two types OF ammunltlon-an unwi.
course.
Between these choices lay a midd
course-the adoption OF the British ri
feld. but with notifications whi,
would enable it TO use STANDARD Amer
can ammunition The changes nece
sary FOR this plan would take mu'
less time to require Springfield
throughout and would give us a g.
much superior to the British Ennel
This was the course decided upo
While it might delay the delivery
troops In training OF the weanon th
ultimately would use, q would not
lay the equipment with the best ty
OF rifles OF any troops we might
able 10 send 20 France Half a milli
men In France could be equipped wi
springnelds on hand. and before
could transport that number OF troc
abroad, the modified Enfield rii
could be got under fun production
Accordingly. the Springfield and re
Island shops Of the Government w
continued in the production Of Spril
field rifles and orders were placed "
the Winchester and Remington pla
for the modified Ennelds
Ordnance experts. in figuring
rifle requirements Tor the year 4!
estimated that we would need so
23l3O00 guns. To provide this MI