The Washington critic., 1890-02-21
MAYNARD TERRORISM
LA8oRERS WHO DARE NEITHER TO
COMPLAIN NOR CRlTlClSE.

The reign of terror which prevails In
Russia, where people dare not express
an opinion regarding their supcriors in
social or official life for fear OF being
sent to Siberia, may be surprised to
learn that a somewhat similar state OF
affairs exists at their own doors. Yet
such would seem TO be the case.
There are in one of the Government
establishments in this city over a thou
sand men-with few exceptions free
born American citi2ens-who are de.
prived of liberty Of speech, who dare
neither 10 complain of injustice nor
cTiticisc in public or private any act of
their superiors; who dare not even cX
press an opinion regarding the place
where they work on pain of instant dis.
missal.
The Washington Navy Yard is the
place referred TO. That such state of
affairs should exist in an establishment
owned and operated by the United
States Government seems incredible.
For more than year past.there have
been vague rumors of something wrong.
At public meeting held in South
west Washington under the auspices of
the Knights of Labor in February or
March of last year. ostensibly for the
purpose of strengthening that order
several speakers limited that injustice
aud favoritism were being practiced in
the Navy. Yard. When questioned
after the meeting was over by the re-
porters these men refused to speak more
definitely. A few days later they were
discharged from the yard,
Since that time the ugly rumors
grew apace, but II was almost impos-
siblc TO trace them to their source.
When, a few weeks ago. it was stated
in a document presented by the X. of
J.. 10 the Senate Committee on Naval
Affairs, in opposition to the confirma.
ton of Mr.. Folger, that system of
espionage and terrorism prevailed at the
Navy Yard, it was pooh 'poohed as the
revengeful vaporings of discharged
employe. The man who drew up and
presented this document was dis
charged.
A reporter yesterday visited large
number of Navy Yard employees of all
classes. Some were seen in the privacy
of their homes, others in public places,
but in nearly every instance the result
was the same. The men all look dis
mayed when asked about affairs at the
yard, shook their heads sadly, and,
while admitting that there was good
deal that should be exposed, declined
10 talk about the matter on the ground
that they would be instantly dismissed
if they did. A few of them were will
, ing to talk, but in a very cautious and
non committal manner.
IF was even to be seen in your
company" said stalwart young ma
chinist, lit would somehow or other
get TO the ears of the authorities, and
would have my walking papers in day
or two. Why. we daresn't even talk
10 one another about what goes on Al
the yard. for in the most mysterious
manner our private conversations ge
back to the yard before we can gel
there ourselves. Talk about your Rus
sian spy system, it isn't bit worst
than the one that prevails here. No
sir; you'll have to excuse nc. I'd like
10 help you out, but have wife and
children to support, and l must think
of them first"
mo young fellow; you can't get any
thing from me, said another "Well
yes; maybe there is many things at tn
yard and maybe there isn't; but you
cant find out from me-
A very intelligent man. first elias!
machinist who has been in the yard 70
years, was seen at his comfortable little
home, and after some hesitation, eau
tiOusly drew the reporter into his private
room, shut the door and said:
Bitter experience has made me eau
tious; you see don't even speak be
fore my wife and children t. you abou
affairs at the yard, for fear they nigh
let something slip GU. some day withou
intending it. | believe | can trust you
for know that newspaper men neve
give away the names of confidential in
forman,s. A still tongue makes a wis
head, but, unfortunately for me,
took me long time to learn that.
used TO have fashion, when | frs
went into the Navy Yard. of sayin
just what l thought about things. an
il kept me poor for long time. Sew
cral times ! was prevented from gettin
promotion and have also been sus
pended for talking too freely Were
less useful man | would have bee,
discharged long ago. Should | b
caught talking again, know | woul'
have TO GO; so l must request you
under no circumstances, to say yo
got anything from me.
"Favoritism is the great trouble at tn
Navy Yard. The foremen of the va
rious shops have powers little less tina
dcspotic. If man makes himsel
popular with the foreman he is sure o
good pay. If he merely obeys orders
attends TO his work and makes no al
tempt to gain favor with the foreman
he will get average pay, provided h
keeps his tongue still. If he says any
thing about any mistake of the fore
man, or about favoritism or anything
of that sort, he is put at some othe
work on less pay Next time, if he ha
good luck. he may be suspended; If h
is not lucky. he will be dismissed o
some pretext or another.
In order to gain favor with thu
foremen there are men throughout tn
yard who run to them and report ever
little conversation they hear rehcctin
on the management Others gain thei
popularity by liberal use of money
Now, don't imagine that mean to sa
there is any bribery; l don't believ
there is; but there are many ways b.
which man can make himself popula
by liberal use of money. 1t is no uu
common thing in the shops down her
TO see two men working side by side a
the same work, both equally good me
chanics, both equally steady and relia
BILE and doing the same amount Of wor
each day, both having been employee
the same length of time, but one gel
Ting higher pay than the other. One
popular man, the other is not. Now
don't imagine that am speaking fror
the point of view of disappointe
man, for long since saw the error @
my ways. and am now among the POI
ular' class. l did not get there, though
by any underhand means, but simpl
by spending more money in certai
I a.,