The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-02
VAR SECRETARY
ABOUT
! ARSENAL RUMOR


Secretary Of War Newton D. Ba-
ker granted q 30-minute interview
IT the BlackhAwk hotel In Davenport
et o'clock last night to . commit
tee from the Rock Island real e.
tate board, the members Of which
we're appealed to by Rock Island
arsenal workmen to ask Secretary
Baker to clear up rumors that the |
war department Is considering the |
reduction Of the working force 1t |
tho arsenal from 1890 to 1900 en-
ployes.
T. B. Reidy. president Of the Rock
Island real estate board, said today |
that large numbers Of arsenal en-
Dloyes have gained knowledge Of
the rumor, and that men who have
made 1t their business to keep track
Of the affairs at the arsenal, have
announced to him serious worry
over the situation, which was claim
ed to have been brought about by
statements from various sources
that there are grounds for the fear
Of sweeping reductions in the work
fng force. These men asked Mr..
Reidy to name a committee to call
on Secretary Baker.
Reidy Heads Committee.
In response, Mr.. Reidy said today.
be named Joseph Prendergast and
C. e. Williams, now in the real es-
tate business, but formerly we'll &C
Quainted with arsenal affairs, to &C
company him in an effort to gain .
denial of the rumor from Secretary
Baker.
Mr.. Prendergast served at the
arsenal as travelling examiner for
the United States free employment
service in the reconstruction period
directly after the war. Mr.. Williams
was closely affiliated with the Ar
penal federation during the war.
These men, together with MI.
Reidy, were granted an interview
with the secretary last night. but
failed to get either an affirmation
or denial Of the rumor, Mr.. Reidy
said today.
MIR. Reidy said that this rumor
also included the alleged contem-
plation of the war department to
shut down or to remove number
Of departments, and to have what
work the government intends to get
out performed in some degree by
private concerns.
Baker ReticeEt
Mr.. Reidy spoke of Secretary
Dnl W.
every phase of the arsenal situation
However, relative to the rumored
\reduction of the number OF en-
ployes, MIR. Reidy quoted the secre-
Rtary as saying: 1T is very probable
that the war department in the re-
construction of it's affairs may be
called upon to reduce the working
force at the Rock Island arsenal
However, Mr.. Reidy said that the
secretary would offer no prediction
as to what extent such q reduction
might possibly be carried out.
Mr.. Reidy said that Secretary
Baker told the committee that HI
was very fayorably impressed witt
the arsenal, and volunteered thu
6LdlculCAl lhdk IVA .
could be carried out there will
great success.
On all other phases OF the situa
= ton he remained reticent, Mr.. ReidI
said.
In commenting on the commit
tees interview, Mr.. Reidy said tina
while realizing that Secretary Bakel
was not at liberty to make know
any plans of the war department
the committee, nevertheless, wa
greatly disappointed that he coult
not clear up the rumor over thu
vast reduction in the arsenal work
ing force. Mr.. Reidy declared tina
the arsenal is q 100000, 900 plan
and that this community could II
afford to see a big reduction In tn
working force or the removal o
any appreciate number Of depart
,k,