New-York tribune., 1918-02-24
The Governments Call
for Machines
APPEAL to The patriotism Of ma


issue of "The Engineering and
Mining Journal" and it is phrased in the
following manner:
The government needs at once a large
number OF heavy machine tools There is no
time TO have them built. They must be sup
piled Immediately BY such engineering estab-
lishments as have them available now.
Most mining companies of any size have
machine shops for The repair of their min
ing and metalurgical apparatus. and among
the tools embraced in this equipment it is
certain that there some that can be and
must be made available to the government
III order that our troops in France may have
the vitality essential support of heavy art-
lery
Heavy guns must be made at the earliest
possible moment. They cannot be made in
the number so urgently needed unless the
required machine tools are supplied immc-
diatciv by engineering establishments from
zach shop equipment as is not in use or
essential materials is at least available
Tor temporary use ON government work. OF
course this means Inconvenience readiust-
ment and possibly sacrifice But big guns
the men in France must have Consider the
significant figures supplied by the machine
tool section of the War Industries Board as
to the necessity and urgency of this matter
aSSuQltlng
runs up to 30 and 60 per cent when heavy
artillery is not available to clear the way by
shattering the enemy's defences, making an
inferno of the region and driving such men
as remain into deep underground shelters.
"The loss is only , to per cent when the
advance has been prepared by heavy artl-
lcry fire that wipes out by means of high
explosive shells all enemy surface works and
every living thing above ground in the area
of their effective action.
"Ihe soldiers of the United States must
have the greatest protection possible. The
government must have the machines with
which to make this heavy artillery. 1t should
not be necessary 10 commander these tools,
and it is believed that the government will
not be forced to do so. Owners and users of
the needed tools must supply them. Take
stock of the tools in the machine shop. Some
can probably be spared. Get them in condi-
tion for immediate shipment.
"Ihe machines which the War Industries
Eo&rd announces as urgently needed are:
6oX60N2o-ft. planning machines.
4SNASX20-ft. planning machines.
36X36Xl4-ft planning machines.
Nos. and plain milling machines.
Nos. and 5 vertical milling machines
3O-in.X20-ft, engine lathes.
36-in.X20-ft. engine lathes
4 and SIT. radial drilling machines
1sXl30-in. cylindrical grinding machines.
loft. vertical boring mills.
a-ft. vertical boring mills
6-in. floor type, horizontal boring and
milling machines
lin. floor type, horizontal boring and
milling machines.
"1housands of machines of the type listed
are now in the machine shops of this coun-
Try. The government needs them at once
20 make the heavy guns. Release as many
as possible for ordnance work. They will be
paid for at fair price, and their return
after the war can be arranged The War
Industries Board OF the Council OF National
Defence desires the immediate cooperation
OF every owner of such tools as can be spared
from work not now absolutely essential to
national defence. Communicate directly
with the board. No scalpers or spectators
will be permitted to profit by the situation
but the cooperation of reputable dealers is
welcome and they assist greatly by IN
forming the board at once where the needed
machine tools may be found and in putting
them in condition OF immediate availability
'Noluntoer- not draft service must be
the governments dependence in this urgent
situation and all possessing or controlling
the needed machines should come forward al
once. This is time for counting the cost
Patriotism and duty call. Embrace this op-
portunity for service and sacrifice in order
that the people of this nation shall be re-