Evening star., 1921-09-28
NAVY GUN FACTORY
MAY MAKE FILES
Gen. Dawes Investigating
Proposal to Turn Out Metal
Office Fittings.

Relief for the Washington navy
yard unemployment situation by US
ing the gun factory for the manu-
facture of metal Office furniture and
files was the subject of an investiga-
ton instituted today by the bureau
of the budget. The suggestion was
made to Gen. Dawes, director of the
budget bureau, today that the ma
chinery at the Washington navy yard
might be used for this purpose, and it
also would enable the Navy to Keep
intact it's force of gunmakers at the
Washington navy yard.
Gen. Dawes Immediately seized upon
the suggestion and issued instruc-
tions for an immediate inquiry to be
made to determine whether the local
yard could be used for the purpose of
filing the governmental needs for
metal desks and Office files.
Could Be Turned Out Cheaper.
Since the first of last July the gov
ernment supply committee has pur-
chased 500 upright files at from $3.50
to $2S apiece and $500 transfer cases
at SO each, with a possibility that
there will be large demand for the
latter under the order of the budget
bureau for immediate examination OF
all governmental files with view to
transferring to transfer cases all So
called dead" matter.
It was pointed out bv those familiar
with. manufacturing costs at the
Washington yard that the government
gun factory could turn out these ma
terials cheaper than they can be pur-
chased in the market. Millions or
dollars worth Of machinery placed in
the yard during the war now is idle.
and could be put to efficient use Tor
this purpose, it was said. AT the same
time it would enable the government
to keep together it's large force of ex-
pert workmen, who could be immedi-
ately turned to gun work again
should the need require.
Surplus Material Available.
The government also has hundreds
of thousands of dollars worth Of sur
plus material which could be used in
the manufacture Of desks, fling cases
and other forms of metal furniture,
and thus fill its own needs.
The particular question which now
is being Investigated by Gen. Dawes
assistants is whether the government
can use the naval gun factory for this
work without violating its contracts
with metal furniture manufacturers.
A case similar to this was decided
adversely to the government few
years ago in the so-called link case"
The bureau of engraving and print
ing started to manufacture ink for
the government. when the contractors
protested, and the decision was that
the bureau could manufacture ink for
it's own uses and that of the Treasury
Department, but not for other depart
mentS.
Subject of Thorough Investigation.
However, it was pointed out that
some of the departments have surplus
steel material which could be used in
the manufacture of furniture, and it
was believed that it would not be a
violation of contractural relations for
these departments to send the ma
terials to the navy yard for use in
manufacturing furniture.
In line with the efforts of the gov
ernment to reduce it's cost of opera
ton by using it's own forces and ma
terials wherever possible, the pro-
posal to manufacture this furniture is
to be made the subject of a thorough
investigation.
The officials are not unmindful of
the recent discharges in the forces at
the Washington yard, and will do
everything possible, it is believed,
to make it possible to give work to
these men, and thus have the gov
ernment take a leading part in over
coming the Unemployment situation.