Evening journal., 1918-06-26

+, way. We at once sought opportunity
and pointed out to the powers at Wash
ington the need for additional sources
OF supply and the wisdom OF prompt ac-
tlon The plants dupont had built and
was then operating, had been erected
solely 10 supply the Allies and II the
United States was coming into the flght
and proposed 10 equip one to two million
men, II was beyond question needful
that the United States at once provide
additional capacity as q source OF sup
ply for its army.
1T was not until October, 1877, that
we succeeded in influencing Washington
to act--but delays caused by indeclsion
and too many fingers In the pie, pre-
vented us from beginning this work
until March, 1918, at which time we be-
gan the construction Of a large smoke
less powder plant at Nashville, Tenn.
Since then we have made wonderful
progress.
II believe when this plant is com
pleted and Ms history Is written, It will
be the most wonderful achievement
ever performed In the history OF powder
building.
1T will involve the expenditure Of
seventy to eighty million dollars and
will produce approximately one million
pounds OF powder daily.
This plant is being built in nine
units-each one complete In Itself. one
OF these units is approximately eight
times the size Of the largest smoke
less powder plant in the United States
prior TO 1914. The entire plant Is 20
times as large as the largest plant be-
fore the war.
1T covers an area one and one-half
miles wide by three miles long. To
operate II at capacity will require 1900,
600 pounds OF nitrate OF soda per day.
$4,000 pounds OF sulphur per day. It
Will consume l500 tons Of coal for each
"a hours, which is equivalent 10 100
carloads or two trainloads. II viii re-
qulre 100000 gallons Of water per
hours or as much water as
Is used by a city having a population
Of one million people. The central
power plant viii contain 6s boilers each
With a rating Of 1926 horsepower. Il VIII
be the largest smOkeless powder plant
IN the world and the last word in pow
Ter making Il will require 90 TO 20
thousand men 10 20 ~ months 10 com
Dlete It, and your company has agreed
10 give its it6 years Of accumulated
and do this enormous con
'truction at actual cost and without
profit.
In April, 1917, tile chief OF ordnance
invited dupont and all other powder /
makers 10 meet him In his Office IN I
At this meeting we were |
that the army and navy jointly I
we're in need Of. as quickly as possible, 4
.l5 million pounds OF powder.
Each OF the powder makers present |
vas asked how much OF the ii5 mil |
ion pounds he could make within the |
calendar year 1917. duPOnt's answer
vas: All OF it. We were all then asked |
1t what price we could supply this pow
der. duPont's answer was 47I4 cents
Tor all granulatlons above small arms
and GO cents for small arms powder
None Of the others were as low and
their prices for the larger granula-
tions ranged up to 5s cents against our
i7Ik cents and l am creditably informed
that some Of these bidders succeeded In
the government that they
were unable to duplicate our cost and
the government because OF It's great
need consented to and did pay them for
their product a greater price than they
paid us. / want to direct your atten-
iiOn to this point:
when ] had last discussed the sub |