The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-23
ORGANIZATIONS
COMBAT REMOVAL
OF ARSENAL DEPT.

The following resolutions have
been passed by the committee ap-
pointed by Mayor Schriver. Many
organizations are ratifying their
decision and are forwarding copies
over their signatures to officials at
Washington in an effort to prevent
the removal of the cloth and leath-
er departments from the arsenal
here:
whereas 1t has come to the attention of
the citizens OF this community that Secre-
tary OF WaE Baker has ordered the removal
of certain departments to-wit: The harness
shop, cloth shop and part of the equipment
shop, located at the Rock Island arsenal
TO Jeffersonville. Ind, and are also con-
! sldering the reduction Of activities in the
remaining department to u considerable de-
| gree.
| And whereas the Rock Island arsenal is
the nation greatest manufacturing ar
| senal, the development of which has cost
the government more than $3.50, 00G, 900; :
ITS factory buildings being equipped with
practically all new and up-to-date machin-
| cry OF the approximate value of $50, 600 :
600; employing approximately 5000 work
men. who with their families are located
and reside in the tri-cities.
I And whereas the harness. cloth and
equipment shops are SO closely connected
, and interviewer with the various other
moval of any one or all of said enumerated
shops would mean not only the loss of
approximately several hundred employees.
but would be a severe blow to the general
efficiency of the entire arsenal plant.
And whereas the employees of the said
| NJ nj MT Yt,C ha fo,
any appropriation for the manufacture of
munitions Of war. but are merely asking
the privilege of manufacturing articles
| used by the government for peace time
needs that the said employees have Or
ganized from their body what is known
as the arsenal order branch and since
July, 1919. through this organiza ton
whenever the government has advertised
for bids for the manufacture of peace time
articles, nave through successful competi-
ton with private manufacturers been
awarded by the government as the lowest
bidders, contracts approximating $1.s50,.
600.
And whereas ii has come to our notice
that the government has appropriated
$3.50 5000 to manufacture pace time
articles for the various departments of the
government;
And whereas since last July the arsenal
orders branch has secured through com
ptiuNe pluuHs against Inc world contracts
Tor the manufacture Of peace time need:
shows to US conclusively that the gov
ernmcnt can more efficiently and economi
cslly manufacture necessary articles thar
TO have the same manufactured by priv att
concerns who must manufacture same a
a profit, whereas at tine arsenal they art
manufactured at cost.
| And whereas the crying need of tn,
world today is greater production in al
lines, and whereas to permit this magnifi
cent institution to remain idle or not Il
operate at practically its capacity would
seem a crime against our social and eco
nomic welfare,
And whereas considering the geographi
cal location of the Rock Island arsenal
its shipping facilities the room on tn,
island for future expansion and develop
ment, We believe it to be to the financia al
economical and military welfare and in
terests of this government to keep tn.
different departments or units at this plan
intact, and permit same to remain here
expand and build additions as necessity re
CURES,
And whereas We believe the presen
forces at the arsenal possess a wonderful
productive organization under proper man
agement and should this nation become in
volved in any difficulty in the future. W,
would have an equipment and organiza
ton in one compact plant that would b,
l
the different units and departments scat
tered throughout the country.
And whereas We are informed that it i
the intention Of the secretary of war I,
remove at least the harness. cloth an,
part OF the equipment shops to Jefferson
vile. Ind. place that has no facilitie
for the reception of said departments with
out the expenditure of vast amount O
: money for the erection Of new buildinge
and there place eaid departments in col
storage" in other vords-a diplomatic va
of dlsmantling them. and we believe it L
| be sound business policy. particularly a
| this time during these days of unrest an
lack of production in all lines to utiliz
all the surplus facilities the goveFnmen
, possesses for productive purposes. especial
" in view of the fact that the i've arsenal
Of the United States combined canno
begin to manufacture the necessary peac
, time needs of the various departments o
/ the government for which appropriate
this year has been made.
Therefore be it resolved thst--