Remarkable Manufacturing Activities
THE strenuous activities of the factories in the great manufacturing centers of the eastern part of this country are perhaps without a parallel, and these activities are absorbed almost wholly in the manufacture of supplies for the soldiers at the battle fronts in Europe. As an illustration of this, the Wall Street Journal reports a factory that is within “eight miles from Wall Street.” This company is expending twenty million dollars in enlarging its plant and increasing its equipment. Five million of this has already been spent or contracted for. In this construction, it has under way a “new gun shop that will be the largest in the country. It will be 600 feet long by 90 feet wide.” “At the moment, five buildings are being erected, and plans have been issued for five more. The foundation of the buildings is of concrete, and work is being rushed as quickly as possible.” “In the old shops, and in as much of the new plant as is serviceable, work on war contracts is going on night and day, including Sunday.” The Journal further says: “The biggest line of work at present is the turning out of torpedoes for the English navy. It is said those contracts alone are valued at $25,000,000. Each torpedo is worth from $4,000 to $5,000.” “Another big line of work is the manufacture of high explosive shells of all sizes, ranging from the 4½ inch to the 15 inch lyddite.” “Early in September the company will be making 1,500 of those high explosive shells a day, according to reports in war supply quarters. Those shells, it is figured, will have an average value of $200 each, which would make the company’s yearly output of those shells alone in excess of $100,000,000, if the 1,500 a day rate is maintained that long.” “Supplementing those three big lines, the company is doing a large business in rifle barrel stock.” “Earlier estimates on the total business of the company gave a range from $50,000,000 to $150,000,000. It is now believed, from reports that are current in banking circles, that estimates can start from the $150,000,000 figure and progress upward.” These figures are for but one concern, in one locality, yet they are so large as to be staggering. One of the most ominous things in connection with it all is that where there are such heavy investments in equipment for manufacturing war supplies, there will be the strongest kind of selfish interest to keep the war going. In language that is so simple and clear that a little prattling child can understand it, the apostle Paul tells us that the last days will be grievous because men will become “lovers of self” and “lovers of money.” 2 Tim. 3: 1, 2, A. R. V. The world is not only war mad, but it is commercially mad; and the two influences are working together to create the perilous conditions of the time. This is not the discussion of a theory, but it is the statement of stubborn fact, which ought to cause thinking men to meditate seriously. Men who are intoxicated with the commercial affairs of this world may try to present a rosy future that will keep us from seeing the inevitable crash that must soon result from these conditions. It is folly to think that prosperity built upon such madness and greed can be permanent. There can be but one result. Sensible men and women will open their eyes wide enough to see.