Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-10-28

/ NuulhtlU& EFCbm utRnUhLIp0k 10
Secretary Baker as to what
portion should be maintained
4 against another national emer-
! gency. His trip will take him
I as far as the Pacific coast, and
while away he viii visit his
home in Missouri.
! Immediately following the re-
3eipt by The Argus of the fore
going Associated Press telegram
from Washington. Mayor H. NJ
schriver dispatched an Invitation
TO General Pershing to come 20
Rock Island
There seemed little question in
the mind Of the city executive that
General Pershing would visit Rock
Island arsenal, and the invitation
was directed to the> commander Of
the American eXpeditiOnary forces
for the purpose of gaining his con
sent to visit Rock Island while he
is at the arsenal
The mayor in his invitation laid
stress. however, on the importance
Of Rock Island arsenal and asked
that General Pershing should try
government island so as to pro-
vide for a short stay in this city.
Plans for a reception to the COM
mander-in-chief will be considered
in the meantime, and as soon as a
definite answer from him is re-
ceived. arrangements will be push
ed forward, if he accepts the city's
invitation.
While it was not definitely known
at Rock Island arsenal today that
General Pershing in his contem-
plated trip west would come to
Rock Island arsenal, ii was consid-
cred probable that any inspection
tour he would make of war indus
tries in the middle west would not
fail TO include the government
plant here because of an increased
important the local arsenal has
taken over its former peace time
footing.
The Rock Island arsenal. the
largest in the United States, is in
creasing rapidly in Importance as
the munitions center of the United
States army. Although the war
brought TO the island greatly in
creased producing facilities. the
end of hostilities which at first
created a Stacking down work. has
not meant reduction to the former
peace time footing.
On the other hand. the arsenal
personnel in the last two months
has increased materially and new
buildings are being constructed.
The island under the present war
plans will be the cen
ter of manufacture of all artillery
equipment. even unto the tractors.
which will draw the field pieces in
action. The government plans for
complete motorization OF its srtil
lery and all Of the tractors are 20
be manufactured at Rock Island
arsenal.
Assemble Tanks.
Tanks. in addition are being as
sem6led az Rock Islanu. and inas-
much as the world war DEMON
strated. the need OF large numbers
of these armored monsters. the
probability is that this work will
make necessary continued employ
ment OF a large number Of work
men
There is every indication. judg-
ing rom building under cOustruc-
ton at the arsenal at the gun prov
ing grounds at Savannah. which
are under the direction of Colonel
II. b. Jardon. commandaut of Rock
Island arsenal. that Rock Island
arsenal Will continue 10 maintain
its present basis or enlarged some
what to meet new demands of an
increased peace time army. Il is |
sufficient to say that the plant wilt
not again return to the basis # +
was Just preceding the world war
unless radical changes in the war /
policy are made.
At the present time the arsenal is /
receiving army equipment from +
overseas and camps in this country /
which was used in the war Sa-
wanna. too. where at the proving
grounds vast storage place is be .
ing provided. is receiving this !
equipment. When it is all received /
and stored the arsenal will house (
the largest amount of army equip /
nent in the United States.
To handle this incoming equip !
nent there are hundreds of men
recently given employment at the /
arsenal with more needed. The
work will last at least through the
spring. This is not considered a
part OF the arsenal's permanent !
growth which is reflected in the
demand being made for skilled /
yorl5men in other departments on I
he island
It is reasonably certain that the
sland will continue to maintain its |
present activity and II is not I'm
possible that should General Per-
ihing visit the local government is
and he will be so impressed as to
make recommendation which Will !
i'd materially to its peace time !
growth.