The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-12-20

contractor.
"That was at time when it wa
hardest to pay. The people want t.
know why and they learn as soon a
it is over"
Asked if he thought there had beer
any grating" Mr.. Fordney state'
he did not think SO, but that there hat
been "direct misappropriation and di
version of public money"
Tells of Boosting Contractor
Mr.. Fordney tells of contractor
whose name he does not give wht
boosted that the government was pay
ing his war taxes. The congressman
has copy of clause of this contract
which is dated July Fl, 1917, stating
that "all taxes shall be considered AZ
a part of the cost" of the contract
Thus the contractor was actually paid
a profit by Uncle Sam on the amount
of the taxes which he paid to help win
the war.
Mr.. Fordney has charged this open
ly in congress. Chairman Hurley, in
letter to Mr.. Fordney, said no such
charge should be made unless the
congressman was sure of his facts. To
this "Uncle Joe," wrote, quoting the
clause and giving the number and date
of the contract. To this Mr.. Hurley
did not reply.
Some not-generally-known history
of the Hog Island ship yards are CIV
en- by Mr.. Fordney. In brief his story
is that the government invested $685.
OOO, 900 in the project, then turned it
over to corporation of individuals
incorporated for $4,000, and with this
plant secured contracts for $187 ,000,-
900 worth of ship building. With a
free plant, and use of Uncle Sans
money as working capital, on cost
plus basis, this corporation made
profit of $1O,000,000.
On this Mr.. Fordney's comment was
short, and charitable. He said: 1T
seems to me that was poor Judgment"
But Mr.. Fordney as well as others,
are going on the theory of enduring
everything to win the war" and after
peace comes to do any necessary laun-
dering. That policy WIS decided upon
in the early days of the conflict and
is still being adhered to, at least by
the congressman from this city.
Gives Revenue Ideas
Mr.. Fordney is protectionist and
has some ideas along the lines of rev.
enue legislation which he expects to
be passed by both the house and the
senate. He, however, dos not venture
a guess as to whether the man in the
White House will sign the bill when it
goes to him.
This legislation which is predicted
by Mr.. Fordney will protect the dye
and sugar industries, and prevent
making the United States dumping
ground for business to kill Yankee in
tiustry. q
First to the sugar, because more
persons in The State Journals family
circle are interested in this business
than in the manufacture of dye-stuffs.
"Uncle Joe" when taking up new
line of discussion goes to the begin
ming and develops the thought logi-
cally. He explained that Of the SUI
gar used in this country, half comes
from insular possessions, Porto Rico,
Hawaii, and the Philippines and near
ly all the balance is imported from
Cuba and other foreign coutries. Only
small percent is produced in this
country.
Then he stated that if another war
should come and this country should
be cut off. as was Germany in the con-
fiict which'i is now all but officially
ended, there would be a shortage in
the United States. Germany derived
advantage from her tremendous SUI
gar manufacturing capacity. He ex-
planned that when the Teutonic nation
became short of gasoline that alcohol
was distilled from sugar to operate
airplanes and other war engines. 1t
was a tremendous advantage. He
wants the United States to be so pre-
pared If another war should come. 1t
- almost needless to say that he hopes
another conflict does not arise. But
ashe expresses it, God alone knows"
Would Protect Sugar
Mr.. Fordney wants to encourage the
manufacture of sugar in this country
by protective tariff. 81 do not be-
lieve," he said, "that there is any way
in the world to insure cheap and plen-
tiful sugar, better than to produce all
we may consume. The protection re-
qpired to build up this industry is not
very great. Under protection we
should be able to bring down the price
of sugar."
Maybe you think this means protec-
ton of the manufacturer alone. But
Mr.. Fordney is looking after the inter-
ests of sugar beet raisers as well. He
says:
Whatever law is adopted should be
absolutely fair to the'man who raises
the beets and the manufacturer. The
farmer is entitled to the same consid-
Grafton as the manufacturer. The
raiser of the beets must have a fair
profit and the manufacturer q return
for the capital invested. Whatever
is worked out must produce harmony