The Washington times., 1936-06-18
REPORT ASK 5
u. 5. CONTROL
OF ARMS
international News Service


Looking to the limitation and
control of profits, Government
confiscation of all facilities for the
manufacture of munitions and the
principal implements of war was
recommended by the majority Of
the Senate munitions committee
today.
In a report, seventh of series
submitted to the Senate, the com
mittee also recommended strict
control and supervision Of that
part of the industry not duplicated
or taken over by the Government
Graft Cited
Citing instances of graft, CO,
ercion, lobbying and unwarranted
profits in the private manufacture
of munitions and war implements,
the committee, headed by Senator
Nye (R) Of North Dakota, urged
the Government to Immediately
take over or construct its own ia
cilities for all ships, guns and am,
munitions used by the Navy, and
all artillery, rifles and other i'm
plements used by the Army.
The committee exempted the
aircraft industry from it's iron
clad recommendations. 1t was
claSsed as still in its infancy
and different from the some
what more standard articles for
which it is proposed to have the
Government acquire facilities"
For Safe Nation
Besides eliminating graft and
high profits" the committee
maintained it's plan would insure
the nation of an adequate peace
time Army and Navy, and muni-
tions supply. 1t pointed out that
in time Of war Sufficient tools
and equipment" could be in,
stalled in private plants to en-
able the nation to meet the in
creased demand.
In addition to Nye, the ma.
jority report was signed by Sen
ators Clark CD of Missouri
Pope CD of Idaho, and Bone
,(DO of Washington.
A minority report, in wide dis
agreement with the majority
was signed by Senators George
,CDO Of Georgia, Vandenberg RO
Of Michigan, and Barbour (RO
Of New Jersey.
The minority questioned the ad
visibility of complete nationalist
ton on the grounds that peace
defense, and economy would be
better preserved by rigid contro
rather than by confiScation of the
principal war industries. 1t listec
the following objections:
l. "If large government plants
are erected to provide these COM
mOdities there will be inevitable
local, political pressure to main
tain these plants at full capac-
ity production regardless of,
actual defense needs, and the
result will be to encourage ar
mament rather than diSarma-
ment.
2. "If all production be thus
concentrated in government
plants, furthermore, there will
be no adequate corrOlary reli-
ance, through private manufac-
ture, In the event of . war
emergency unless the national
lied facilities are maintained at
. needlesSly extravagant and
dangerous rate during peace
time.
CITES COST
8. "UnleSS these facilities are
kept on a full time production
basis during peace years, the
unit cost of production will in
crease to a point which create
higher costs to the government
than would be available through
normal, private purchase.
4. This could be another
impulse to armament rather
than disarmament through
anxiety to maintain maximum
arms production in order to
maintain minimum costs"
The committee minority
believes that the public welfare,
from the standpoint Of peace,
defense and economy, can be
better served by rigid and con-
elusive munitions control than
by naturalization, except in a
few isolated instances"