The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-02-05
SPENT MONEY UNTIL
It HURT DURING WAR

Advocates of Government owner
ship or operation of enterprises that
can be conducted by private concerns
received severe jolt few days ago
when an official report of facts re-
garding the enormous waste in the
construction of the Muscle Shoals
Nitrate plant. under the supervision
of officers of the War Department,
was received. Here are a few quota
tions from the report:
Large numbers of employees were
on two pay rolls, and drawing double
compensation. Skilled mechanics were
used to shovel slack out of railroad
cars. In order to make this employ
ment last longer, 1t was shoveled up
on the ground and then from the
ground into other cars. This was done
at skilled mechanics wages. At times
from 500 to 700 carpenters would be
idle for periods of day or more.
drawing full pay and overtime. On
one occasion 100 carpenters were put
In room 80 by so feet to construct
1t. There was hardly room for the
workman to all get into the room.
Men were paid for full time on the
job. who did nothing for periods of
two months or more. Foremen ap-
piled for work for their men at times
when there were ample materials and
no work was furnished. Large num-
bers of skilled carpenters were re-
where there was nothing provided for
them to do. At one time. to provide
Sunday work. 500 carpenters were de-
tailed to build a platform 20 by 120
feet in size, and required to put in
their time. On one occasion 200 skill
ed laborers were brought from De-
troit and Flint. Michigan. There
was nothing for these men to do for
fully two months. but they received
pay. and overtime. during that per-
Tod.
THE nitrates supply committee
originally estimated that United States
nitrate plant No. l at Sheffield,
Ala, would cost $4,000, 900. The COM
plete cost of construction up to De-
cember 81, 1919. was s126S9,676.99.
"The most extraordinary and un'
justifiable expenditure. in the judg-
ment of the subcommittee. made al
any of these nitrate plants was an
item for housing at No. l plant ag-
gregating s1.S52.25999. Almost the
first thing was done in this plant
which was to be largely experiment
tai. was to build a large number ~
the most permanent type of houses
One hundred and twelve houses were
built altogether-25 of them for Of
ficers. 65 for civilians, and a num-
Der of other houses. These permanent
houses are made of tile. with the
roofs. and of the most durable and
costly construction. The officers.
houses are grouped about large
circle of parked ground, most ex-
pensive walks and terraces. and cost
from $4,000 to $4,000 each, accord
ing to the rank of the particular ord
nance officer who was to occupy
them, lieuteant's house cost $4,000
and a lieuteant eolonefs house Sl9'-
000 with further provisions to be
made by building higher-priced
houses If higher ranked officers were
detailed there.
1.-The civilian houses were succeed
and of the best type of construction
and cost from $4,000 to $4,000 apiece.
In order to make the Ordnance Off
GERS more comfortable permanent
clubhouse of the most durable con-
struction. with 80 suites of rooms,
each room having a bath, and with
all sorts of reception rooms, was
built at a cost of $4,000.
IAN Industrial village was built in
which there were complete residences
and SIS incomplete. These houses cost
from $500 to $4,000 apiece, and are
now occupied by employees OF the
Ordnance Department, or the En-
gineer Corps working on the Muscle
Shoals Dam. They are substantial
houses. built of frame or tile. with
slate roofs and tile foundations. There
were about 100 semi-permanent
houses and 300 negro houses. and bar
racks sufficient to house $1,000. A