The morning call., 1894-12-31
THE NAVY : YARD.
Review of the Work Done
During a Year.
The Government Delays Work to
Save Money-Holiday Entertain-
ments at Mare Island-Notes.

VALLEJO, Dec. 80, 1s94.-The year Just
closing has been the most prosperous one at the
navV-yard for many years. Hundreds of thou.
sands OF dollars, even extending into more than
million, have been paid out 10 labor aud to
naval officials at this station. This vast sum of
money which even itself would not a third pay
pay for battle-ship has been productive of
much good to the community here at home as
we'll as reaching 10 all parts of the State.
But few outside Of navy-yard or naval
station have an idea Of the work that Is being
continually done In all departments pertaining
to the equipment of warships, ana all that goes
10 make uD great Government workshop. All
Of the ships on the Pacific Coast and some
from the Asiatic station have been sent here
for needed repairs and refittIng.
The work on the monitor Monadnock aud the
cruiser Boston is far advanced. though there Is
yet much more to be done on them to fit them
ready for sea. 1t would be hard matter to
enter into all the various and many details in
the shape of work that has been accomplished
on them as well as on all the ships fitted out.
1t is sufficient TO say that with comparatively
few exceptions everything has been accom-
piShed in highly satisfactory manner aud so
far during the year without serious accident
10 life or to ships or work under construction.
The men employed may be classed as being
among the most competent and skillful me-
chanics in the world, and this is now generally
attributed to the manner OF employment. At
times. however, it has been stated that dis
examinations In empl oyment have been made,
but usual upon Investigation the charges have
proved without foundation. At the present
time there is an investigation being carried on
at the navy-yard, by direction OF he Secretary
of the Navy, of a foreman, wherein it Is stated
he Disseminated against veteran of the war
In the matter of employment. The inyestIga-
ton will be searching one. ana should the
charges prove true it will be matter for the
Secretary himself 10 datArmiDe the npnaltV
The Secretary In all matters OF importance
has the revising power. 1t Is currently re-
ported there will be reduction OF lay with the
commencement of the new year in number OF
instances, and II Is TO be hoped, in the interests
OF the worklngmen, that he Will put the stamp
OF dsapproyal on tie recommendations made
by the board selected 10 rate the pay for the
ensuing quarter.
or late In the navy-yards 1t has been notice
able fact that officers who have been stationed
at private ship-building yards. experimenting
the construction OF ships-of- war, and who have
Come In contact with foreign cheap labor,
when th ey are assigned TO yards and have been
placed on boards OF rating OF wages, reductions
In rates have been made among certain classes
OF hayward employees. notably among ship
and OF hers, as was the case the last time re-
duction in wages was made. Although the re-
auctions may be small, yet to each man the
amount Is something.
AXE the class OF work that Is turned out at
the hayward It Mare Island for instance. 1t
IS not To be compared In any way, shape or
iOiI Will WOTk uOO6 IOr the Government on
the outside, as attested by work performed on
ships that have come here from contract shops.
lie officers of the nayy-yard will not allow
poor work o go out of shop,and the foremen,
one and all, like the heads of the departments,
nave their regulations at stake Ii they permit
inferior work.
A few days ago word was received for the
gunDoat Bennington TO go to sea. In few
nourS thereafter she was Steamiug out of the
Golden Gate to search for the missing GOLFERS,
kkeweenaw and Montserrat. 1t is trusted that
M he ha
little gunboat has been In readiness ana await
ing orders for some weeks, and should have
been dispatched some time ago. as the steam
ers are now two or three weeks overdue to ar
rive at San Francisco. 1t is hoped that her
mission may prove successful, though it is
reared that II Is too late TO lind any trace of
them.
The Boston is still In the drydock undergoing
painting. etc. AS soon as she comes out prob
ably one OF the other smaller ships will go ill.,
When favorable opportunity arrives the
Adams Will be put in ana repairs commenced
on her.
GTnere is report gong the rounds that the
Ranger may be put out OF commission, though
this seems hardly possible. as Lieutenant U. r.
Harris. United States Navy, is now Oh his way
out from the East with orders to her as execu-
tive officer.
The many friends at the navy-yard and In
Vallejo will welcome Lieutenant and Mrs.
Harris back 10 the coast. as they have been
here many times before and have many warm
personal friends.
1t Is supposed 10 be in the Interest of
economy TO the Government that on Saturday
afternoon little before quitting time quite
number OF men In the department OF construc-
ton and repair were notified not TO come 10
work until Wednesday morning. II such was
the case here is where the economy would
naturally come In. All men In the department.
who we're al work on Monday would be Ell.
titled TO be paid for The holiday occurring on
tuesday, for Which day there would be no work
ACCOMPLISHED, virtually making them present
OF the days pay. This Is the law enacted by
Congress. and cannot be evaded; but IL can be
II so desired by not allowing the men to be en-
ployed ON the day prior. This of course may