Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-11-16
ARSENAL LOOMS
AS GUN CENTER
Concentration of knowledge Of
Artillery Augurs Well for
Islands Future.
PLEASED WITH WORK DONE
Brigadier General John T. ThOmp-
son Well Satisfied on Tour
of Inspection.

Concentration at the Rock Island
arsenal at the knowledge Of the
manufacture of field artillery is go
ing to make this plant the artillery
center of the United States, Briga-
der General John T. Thompson, di-
rector of arsenalS, announced when
here recently on tour of inspec-
ton.
Il am highly gratified," he said,
at the continued good work by
employees at Rock Island arsenal.
In the armory il is especially no
ticeable. In that shop the produc-
ton has increased to 1000 rifles
and 1000 bayonets a day. This is
in marked contrast to the last pub
HShed figures, when the maximum
production was 625 day.
at is also gratifying to know that
the harness shop has given such
a good account of itself since d few
months after the war was declared
that It is at present supplying prac-
tically all the United States army.
In a conversation I had a few weeks
ago with a man whom I consider
the best qualified in the country,
so to state, said that the harness
shop at Rock Island arsenal Is the
best and most efficient in the United
States. This shop is continuing its
good work and Is supplying gun
sings which have been badly need
ed. Within a few weeks after war
was declared this shop got into &C
ton and has been going at top
speed ever since.
Concerning the targets, can
say that at the beginning of the war
the ordnance department sent an
officer to Rock Island arsenal to In
vestIgats the situation and deter
mine whether or not they could be
turned out in quantity here. He
reported favorably and the money
was made available. Then this de-
partment of Rock Island arsenal
turned out sufficient targets TO sup
ply about 100000 men, and since
then I have heard nothing about
targets, which to me is the best
proof that the army has no fault
to find. I know that the cost has
been reduced about one-haIf and
that they were supplied before they
were needed.
VIII Be Center.
'in the field artillery plant find
that Rock Island arsenal has com
pleted its first orders for gun car
riages and is now starting its sec
ond. All the knowledge concerning
tho mamie ofuro re thic Govt oP ~
tillery is being concentrated here,
and this arsenal will eventually be
the artillery center OF the United
States.
'One thing that is being manu-
featured at Rock Island arsenal and
which is considered one of the hard
est mechanical accomplishments in
the country is the manufacture OF
the recuperator for the French rs
nm. gun. General Williams, chief
of ordnance, declares it is one or
the most important pieces of work
at present and is watching results
here closely.
Arsenal Saves Day.
"a number of outside orders were
given to various firms for these re-
operators. For various reasons
these factories were not able to
furnish them and this condition has
made additional demands upon this
arsenal. Every one that is produc-
ed here means, an additional gun for
France, and we are confidently re-
lying upon the workers at Rock Is
land arsenal to supply the demand"
ASKS nTUOPCE ON