New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-28
FOR AN INQUIRY AT THE NAVY YARD
ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN TIE MATTER
or PROMOTING WORKMEN-PAY CLERK
sAYRE'S COURT MARTIAL.

or PROMOTING woRKMEN-PAY CLERK
sAYRE's COURT MARTIAL
Washington oct. q tSpecIaD.-Informali.ies Of
irregularities were recently found 70 exist at the
New-York Navy Yard relative TO the enforcement
Of the provisions OF the general order OF the Navy
Department relating 10 the employment and promo
ton OF workmen. By direction OF Secretary Her
bert. Lieutenant j. j. Knapp went 10 New-York
and made investigation into the facts. Some
time ago Mr.. Knapp made report 70 the Navy
Department saying that the terms OF the order had
been departed from in several instances. and thar
laborers had been promoted in few cases in an
irregular way. The report has been considered BY
Secretary Herbert who is OF the opinion that
further investigation should ensue Accordingly no
has ordered Lieutenant Knapp 10 return 10 New.
York and inquire more fully into the clrcumsances
to which his report related. Mr. Knapp has received
his instructions and will begin his new duties at
once. Among other allegations made II is said that
there were certified 10 the Labor Board tor promo
ton the names OF men who not fitted TO per-
form the duties OF the positions to which they were
advanced in conflict with regulations and 10 the
detriment OF more deserving laborers.
Another naval court-martal is 10 be convened
IL VIII meet at Norfolk In few days It's president
will be Captain j. r. Bartlett. Of the Navy. and the
Judge-Advocate. Lieutenant Waller Of the Marine
Corps The officer 10 be tried is Pay Clerk Sayre al
present attached 10 the receivingship Franklin. az
Norfolk. The Incidents which led up 70 The trla OF
Mr.. Sayre are such that the sentence In the event
OF his conviction. will be a serious one NJ sayn
is the clerk Of Paymaster Cam. The paymasters
duties require him 10 purchase the supplies ior ans
pay the salaries OF officers and men OF the Frankih
the fleet of monitors in the James River. ana tne
Port Royal Naval Station. \ short time ago an IN
speeding officer OF the Pay Department found tna'
Paymaster Cams accounts were short sl-sl =. :.
port Of the fact was made 10 the Navy Department.
and court of inquiry Investigated the crcunI,
stances. Previously 10 the assembling OF the CUT
Mr.. Sayre admitted that he had misappropria.sa
the sum named. The court found that this sly
ment verified by the facts. and It recon'nendss
that the clerk be tried by court-martial Inc cVa'
eNonerated Paymaster Cam from all criiluAX
but he was thought 10 be neglected. in counting a.
otherwise verifying the amount OF Government -
I'm his possession No court-martlal viii De orue...
to try Paymaster Cam. but reprimand rom an
Secretary OF the Navy will probably BE- issued s s
tioning him to be more careful hereafter III srs
for his cash. Not the least interesting iea.u
of the will be the question OF Jurisieton. "a
the court Pay clerks civilians. In sense, a.. ,ss
are appointed by the Secretary OF the Navy loi ~
cruise OF "A ship for some other snort speSs 80.
period. They subscribe to the Articles OF War 80
ever. and naval officials hold that they are eo"'"
quently amenable TO naval laws and regulations