From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/2/1917, p. 10, c. 3

TREDEGAR COMPANY CLOSES SHELL PLANT
Has Completed Big Contract for British Government for Munition.
1,700 MEN HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
Officials Decline to Make Statement, but Reports Indicate That Plant May Shortly Start Work on Order for United States.

Having completed its shell contracts, the Tredegar Iron Works has closed that department of its big plant indefinitely. While company officials decline to make any statement, former workmen state that approximately 1,700 men are thrown out of employment. Many have already left the city, but others are remaining with the expectation that the imminence of war will result in the government making contracts, which will cause the plant to resume operations at an early date.

The suspension of shell-making at the Tredegar Iron Works was not unexpected, as the British government announced early last month that all contracts in this country would be canceled on March 31. There was only one exception, and that was in favor of the Richmond branch of the American Locomotive Company, which has orders enough to run at full capacity until May 31. The allied governments have placed no contracts for more than seven months. England having arrived at the point where its plants can manufacture enough munitions to supply its allies.

That orders for shells from the United States government will soon be received by the Tredegar plant is expected. Representatives of the workmen, however, were advised last week to look for work elsewhere, as the shell department had been closed indefinitely, and it might be two or more months before work is resumed. The other departments of the big plant, however, are not affected, and are continuing operations at full capacity.

FIXED POLICY TO GIVE OUT NO INFORMATION

Archer Anderson, Jr., general manager of the Tredegar Company, has declined to make any statement in regard to the laying-off of the large number of workmen.

“It is our fixed policy not to give out information to the press on any matters pertaining to the operation of our plant,” was the reply he made to the question.

While the contract for six-inch shells held by the Richmond branch of the American Locomotive Company has been fully executed, the plant is not curtailing its operations. On the other hand, additional equipment for the manufacture of large shells is being installed, fifteen lathes having been received last week. The company has big contracts for eight and nine-inch shells, which will not expire until the end of next month and are subject to renewal.

Recently, Charles K. Lassiter, vice-president in charge of operation of the American Locomotive Company, whose home is in Richmond, said:

“We have some contracts that will expire on March 31. Among these is one for six-inch shells, which we expect to complete before that date. Other contracts for eight and nine-inch shells will not expire until May 31, and may be extended.

BRITISH MAKING NO NEW SHELL CONTRACTS

“No new contracts have been made by the British government for six months or more, and it is generally known that, unless something unforeseen occurs, there will be no more. All of the contracts have been awarded in such a way that they can be canceled in event the war ends. The contracts all have cancellation periods, and March 31 is one of those periods. So was December 31; in fact, the periods are three months apart. The British government made its contracts in that way as a protection, and has on several occasions exercised its option, but has later reinstated the orders.”

Both the local plants can quickly be placed in condition to make munitions for the United States government, and will certainly be pressed into service in the event of war, when vast quantities of shells will be needed. Many other local plants can also manufacture goods needed by the army and navy, and have volunteered to do the work. And industrial survey of the State showed that there are 200 plants capable of doing government work, more than half being located here.

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