WHY RUSSIA IS SO FUSSY

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15183, 31 March 1917, Page 7

WHY RUSSIA IS SO FUSSY

INTERCHANGEABLE RIFLE PARTS. In au article entitled “Why Russia Is So Fussy,” the Boston News Bureau recently told why the rifle inspectors are so exacting in their work. It explains much that has been known to be going on at the New England Westinghonso plants, where rifles the being manufactured for the Russian Government.

“While no little feeling has been engendered over the hypercritical attitude which Russian inspectors have assumed in accepting or rejecting rifles made by different American producers,’ the article states, “there is a Russian side which is not generally appreciated. “Prior to the great war Russia had bought most of its artillery and rifles from Germany. When the war started Russia discovered 100 late that so far as rifles were concerned Germany had been very careful not to furnish rifles with interchangeable parts. This was a bitter pill for Russia to swallow and undoubtedly was a factor ?n the big German offensive which swept over Poland.

“Russia determined that iu American contracts the mistake should not be repeated. Complete standardisation was made a sine qua non. The .tory is told that 500 rifles turned out by a certain American manufacturer were collected by Russian inspectors. The lilies were taken to pieces and the parts put in different piles- The parts were thoroughly mixed and an attempt made to assemble the rifles. Out of the 500 only 40 complete rifles could be reassembled. % “Stories are also told by substantial People of the fear under which rifle inspectors have worked. One inspector who. had become somewhat lax in -accepting rifles and whose work - came to tlie notice of the chief inspector in New York, received notice that ho was to return to Russia for military promotion. When he reached home the military officials turned him over to a firing squad, so that his promotion proved to be to that bourne from which no traveller returns.”