Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1922-02-10
CUT OUT GRAFT
TAKE THE PROFIT OUT. OF WAR
SAY MACHINISTS.
The International Association AdvO-
Gates Manufacture of Munitions
By Government in Preference
To Private Enterprise.
(By Federated Press)

ashington-"Take the Profit out
of War;" is the slogan sent out to all
lodges of the International Asocla-
ton of Machinists in circular signed
by E. C. Dawson, general secretary
treasurer, accompanying a statement
by VIM. H. Johnston, president of the
organization, outlining their policy or
limitation of armaments.
The machinists propose that war be
made improbable by concentrating
all future production of war equip
ment in the Government powder
plants, equipment shops, torpedo sta
tions, etc. They are going to petition
Congress to that end, from every cor
ner of the country. :.
ave are taking appropriate action"
saws Johnston, "to the end that the
tendencies making for war as fostered
by the manufacture of war imple-
ments by private enterprise be eliml-
mated. We are insisting that the
time is here for our Government at
least to show it's sincerity Dy taking
the initiative and removing once for
all the profit motive from he NUM-
ton business"
He quotes the recent report OF a
commission expert appointed by the
League of Nations which showed
that:
/. Armament firms have been act
i've in fomenting war-scares and in
persuading their own countries to
adopt warlike policies and increase
their ornaments.
2. Armament firms have attempt
ed to bribe government officials, both
at home and abroad.
8. Armament firms have dissent
mated false reports concerning the
military and naval programs of var
ious countries, to stimulate ar,na-
ment expenditures.
a. Armament firms have sought to
influence public opinion through the
control of newspapers, in their own
and foreign countries.
5. Armament firms have formed
international rings to accentuate the
race in armaments by playing off race
against race.
6. Armament firms have organized
international armament trusts that
have increased the price of armament
sold to governments.
He remarks that the Arms Linita-
ton Conference has not put the issue
of private manufacture of ornaments
on. it's program, and says:
''The program of the international
Association of Machinists contem
plates immediate concentration of all
future armament work in government
plants. Since, however. the lem3nd
for war equipment should gradually
decline, year by year, as we sincerely
expect it will, our program further
contemplates the utilization. Of the
surplus facilities of rhese plants for
the manufacture of the rany engin-
eering and industrial requirements Of
the other departments, and bureaus
of the Government.
"The first and most important pur-
pose to be served will thus be the
elimination of those ten lencies rnak-
ing for war which spring from private
munitions manufacture; the second
will be large savings TO the Govn! n
ment and the people which will fol-
low the greater ALLEGATION of army
and navy requirements to the govern
mental industrial plants. The third
will be the prevention of further ir-
dustrial dislocation by keep;ng the
many thousands of arsenal and navy
yard employees properly and continu-
ously at work. Finally,the vast in
vestments of the American people.
amounting to hundreds of millions Of
dollars secured through taxes ard the
sale of government savings stamps,
notes, certificates and bonds, are put
to productive, creative use"
Johnston argues that in this time
of industrial underproduct;on and de-
preston, it is important that every in
dustrial plant shall, where possible,
be put and kept in operation. More
over, experience has shown repeatedly
that when the Government manufac-
lures equipment for its own needs. in
it's own plants, the immediate effect
is to bring down prices of like equip
ment produced by private manufac
turers.
N