The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-09-12


cles here that the German
conQuerors VIII soon compel
the French government to
move its headquarters from
Vichy to Paris. In effect,
this would remove the last
vestiges of French indepen-
dence.
Such a transfer would be. In
appearance. less harsh than the
rumored military occupation Of
the currently unoccupied por-
ton Of the defeated republic.
But to the men with experienced
eyes on European affairs. the
distinction seems superficial.
The French. under this dispen-
sation, would continue to be gov
erned. nominally. by their own
countrymen. Their government
would function. however. under
the relentless gaze Of German
proconsuls. Every pen scratch
would have to secure the sane
tion Of the vietors.
From the German point of
view, this sort of rigid control
would make possible more eff
Gent organization Of transport
tation and supplies to aid the
drive on Britain. Obviously it
would end the possibility that
American foodstuffs win be
shipped to the hard-pressed
French this winter. It's likely.
though. that the Germans now
accept a. q foregone oonclu-
sion-ss do the best posted au-
thorities In Washington-that
such aid win not be forthcom-
ing In any case.
Negotiated contracts haven't
performed the miracles which
War and Navy Department off,
cials expected of them. The
brass hats have long complained
about the hurdles which manda-
tory competitive bidding put In
their path. Now they're swing
ing back to the view that a bit
more competition may promote
increased production, a. well a.
greater economy.
A suggested compromise be-
tween the two methods of
awarding contracts involves in
wiling bids from companies with
the technical competence and
resources to handle specific
jobs. This means going beyond
the competitors normally in the
field and bringing in outsiders.
Auto manufacturers, for ex-
ample-or even firms such as
General Electric - might be
asked To figure on airplsne en-
gines along with regular avia-
ton plants. They would be ac-
corded free use OF patents and
designs. Negotiation would then
commence after estimates were
submitted.
The low bidder would receive
whatever portion of the desired
number Of planes his facilities
enabled him TO produce. The
others would be invited to revise
their prices To the low figure
and receive the balance Of the
contracts by ALLEGATION. Those
who advocate 1t argue that this
procedure would augment pro-
ductive sources. promote geo.
graphical distribution and mini
mize plant expansion problems.
The same planners urge
wider government production of
material. such a. semi-auto-
matte rifles, which has no peace
time use. They would rather ex.
pand government arsenals. own
ership OF which remains with
the government. than pay for
the plant expansion OF private
manufacturers.
Plant expansion costs are re-
Elected in the price of material.
winchester now has an order for
$500 Garand rifles at a unit
cost with accessories) of s134.
The same rifles. accessories in
clnded. are being turned out at
the Springfield arsenal, on
single s-hour shift, for Se1
apiece, working on an order of
76.20i. Had this number been
increased by all or part of the
$500 awarded Winchester. the
unit cost might have been re-
duced- The commission was
given TO Winchester. of course
10 secure an additional source
OF supply. Future costs viii un-
doubtedly be less. But the gov
eminent is now making to VIM
chester a gift of facilities for
which the company can have
little use once the armament
program ends.
You can get an inklinr of the
cavalier treatment House Re-
puhlicans accord their party
leader from an incident in the
conscription debate. Hamilton
Fish was vehemently opposing
the Burke-wadsworth bill when
Democrat interrupted To ask
dryly how he could 80 differ
from the Republican standard
bearer.
Well" Fish responded slowly
and allowed a long pause for
laughter was going TO say
that ] would leave that to the