Milford chronicle., 1919-05-02
WHEN NEXT WAR COMES
U. S. WILL BE READY

Unless Congress vetoes plans al
ready worked out by the War Depart
ment, the United States will be in po-
sition to manufacture artillery, am
munition, small arms and ordnance
Of all kinds without delay in the event
of another great emergency.
Benedict Crowell, Acting Secretary
of War, has made public a brief out
line of the program worked out by
Major Gen. G. c. Williams, Chief of
Ordnance, and his associates. 1t makes
provisions for the preservation Of ex-
pensive machinery and other equip
ment required for the manufacture of
ordnance, ammunition and explosives,
for experimental work along various
lines to keep the United States abreast
of ordnance development
For years General William Crozier,
long Chief of Ordnance, warned Con-
xress that unless provisions were made
in advance, it would be impossible to
get artillery and artillery ammunition,
high explosives in large quantities,
and other necessary material.
Gen. Crozier said in part:
During the war over $130,090,0 900
was expended in the building up and
increasing facilities of forty-three diff
ferent plants and three Government
arsenals for the manufacture of ar
tillery ammunition only. This expen-
diture has been made in some cases /
in a small amount for the extension of /
facilities of commercial manufactur-
ers, while in other cases, it has been /
used to develop large specialized man
ufacturing establishments like that de-
veloped under the supervision of the
Dodge Brothers, Detroit, which covers
eleven acres of floor space and includes
facilities and equipment valued at
about $10,OO0,00O.
These facilities were developed for
all purposes, as the manufacture of
forging for guns, the manufacture of
all calibres and types of guns, gun
carriages and recuperators. Especial
ly in the manufacture of guns and re-
cuperators, the resourcefulness and
ability of the American manufacturers
have been taxed to the utmost.
ITO be able to meet the manufactur-
ing requirements under any future
the Chief of Ordnance has
made a study of the probable require
ments for the manufacture of mater
ial and has obtained the approval of
the Secretary of War for the retention
Of certain facilities and equipment to
meet these requirements.
Under the project, facilities for the
production of guns and recuperatOrs i
will be held by the Ordnance Depart
nent up to a capacity estimated to d
meet future requirements.
lit is not expected to operate pro- 1
luction plants for the material men c
ioned, but merely to hold them as
plants. The arsenals will be e
leld equipped for the manufacture of
III calibres and types of material.
''To Obviate the delay in getting into
production a knowledge of the best l
Methods of production and to provide
killed wOrkmen to be transferred in +
ase of necessity to other plants, there
yill be built up at the arsenals small
units for each type and cal IL
ore of material.
Under this policy, Watervliet Ar
email will be employed as developing II
entire of the gun industry, Rock Is
and for mobile gun carriages and re- le
operators, Watertown Arsenal for
un fOrgings, heavy seiges and rail- el
-ay and seacoast carriages and re- II
operators. y
For the manufacture of powder and "a
zplosives, production capacity will be m
eld in reserve for operation during &C
n emergency and development and at
Eperimental work will be conducted
4 a small scale.
"Old S. Jold Hickory Arsenal at
Tenn, will be held at a
tandby' arsenal for the manufacture ma
smokeless powder. 1t will not be ll'
)erated in time of peace, but will be Ia
aintained in a condition for opera ca
on when needed.
"Amatol Arsenal, in New Jersey, will 90
/, held in standby condition for the re
aiding of high explosives into shells pa
Id other containers. 1t will not be VI
)erated, but will be maintained in or
IN
"TullytOwn Arsenal, near Trenton, SD
j., will be held in standby condition pc
r the loading of smokeless powder oil
to propelling charges. Il will not ca
operated. La'
For the manufacture of small arms U1
the present policy is to tn'
I up at Frankford Arsenal equip en-
ent sufficient for the manufacture en-
14,000,000 rounds of small arms am an
unition Of all types per day of eight pr
urs. This set-up will be operated no
ly on a small scale. da.
In addition, there will be placed se'
storage a considerable quantity of the
ditional special machinery and du
necessary ffOr the PT=sSame- yei
IN of ammunition of all types. IN
"One of the best and largest shell Dy
ants located in Chicago has been Sc pei
tied for the storage of large guam rec
les of Government owned machinery tne
liable for the production of artillery OF
lmunition. Wo
In addition m the nlants raferrad est
above there will probably be Install ,,,,
very complete equipment for use VI
the development of new types, which I
II in all cases be subjected to the
lctical test of their manufacture in
all quantities by production equip age
mt and production methods before to
types are finally adopted for SER bee
e use" ter
teri
pTrnV AVTOpNEV CENERAT hSN