The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-08
u. s. MUNITION PLANT TO
BE BIGGER THAN KRUPP'S

Well-informed Englishmen have
appreciated the vast resources and
almost illimitabIe possibilities of this
country. But the average English
man has had no conception OF our
wealth, our natural resources or even
the vast reaches Of the continent have
been beyond comprehension.
He has thought of the American
people as being something quite diff
ferent from the English. To him
the cowboy has been typical. He has
been surprised, as our distinguished
statesmen and scholars have spoken
in England, to note their perfection
of speech and to appreciate their
freedom from the breeziness OF the
so-called wild westerner, who exists
only on the movie stage and in highly
colored novels.
As American troops have paraded
through the streets of London he has
watched for their coming as for the
visit of an alien race. HA has been
almost startled to find that there is
little difference between the English
man and his American cousin.
1t came as a shock to many OF the
English people to learn that Amer
lea had become the banker nation and
that this country opened food-gates
of gold. Well-informed Englishmen
witnessed the awakening of the man
in their streets with a good deal OF
relish. =
American tourists have been ac-
customed to talking in such large
terms that the everyday Englishman
discounted almost everything that
was credited to this country. But
tho nf American
achievement il being unfolded before
the eyes of the Englishman.- Moth
ing will startle him now, and he is
beginning to speak in superlatives OF
our efforts just as the boastful Amer
lean used to speak in the days when
he was trying to impress his British
cousin.
The name of Krupp has stood for
the ultimate in munitions and ord
nance manufacturing, although the
Frenchman has pointed with pride to
the Creusot works.
But even the Englfshman is Begin
ming to glimpse the possibilities Of
this country as competitor to Krupp.
And the Englishman, more even than
the native American, has displayed
an eager interest in the announce
ment Of the great construction plant.
to be larger even than the Bethlehem
Steel Works, that is to be erected
near Pittsburgh, Pa, under the direc-
ton Of the Government.
It II expected that 81, 100000, 600
at least will be expended on this plant
for construction alone The work
| will not be finished until 1920 and
will be done under the supervision of
officers Of the Steel Corporation, who
will serve without pay.
The Government recently an
nounced the location Of the proposed
plant, and plans for it's construction
are now being made. Judge e. H.
Gary, Chairman of the Board Of
Directors Of the United States Steel
Corporation, in discussing the project,
said:
The work will be in tho imme-
diate charge of committee consist
ing of vice-president and the comp
| tro1ler of the corporation aud eight
| others designated from the officers
presidents or vfce-presidents) Of the
various manufacturing subsidiary
companies, and all selected because of
their education, experience and Pc
culiar fitness. This committee will
keep in touch with the building and
operating organization which is be-
ing formed, and with the officers of
the Steel Corporation and with the
War Department"
The work will be done at Govern.
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