The morning times., 1895-12-19
WILL sI7 THE CHARGES
Investigation Of Navy Yard A.
fairs to Be Made.
FOREMAN wELLING's PART
Department Officials Declare That
He Hus Nothing TO Do with IT.
reguhritics IL Such Exist-Some
Unofficial Mistakes That Were
Rectified- d-Official Views.

1t is likely that there will be full in
vestigation by the Navy Department Of
the cnarges made against the conduct OF af-
fairs at the Washington Navy Yard, as
published yesterday iu The Times.
Secretary Herbert received yesterday a
copy of the charges and IL Is probable that
instructions will be sent TO the cor.lmandant
OF the navy yard TO institute an Inquiry as
early as next Saturday.
In brief the charges recite that wrong
fui discharges haye peeu made; that incon-
peteut men have been retained; that men
drunk on duty kaye been retained, that
such discharges have operated TO The dis
advantage OF men with Iamiiies, that po!i-
ticshas senteree int tothearrap.einentsaDd o
Arrangements, anu, III IiiIt, tudt u general
oyernau,Ins Is necessary by the depart
ment.
The complaint is sworn to by Mr.. Charles
Gross, one OF the employees on the laborers'
list, WHO was receutiy discharged Without
notice. The Secretary has been also rur-
nisned with the names or seven witnesses
VINO Mr.. Gross cianns Will sustain the
charges.
Tue complainant is disposed to lay tue
b.alne for Che discharges on Mr.. TruefnaD
We.liug, one or The foreinen at the navy
yard, but tnis the department does not ad-
init
DEFEND FOREMAN wELLING.
An officer OF the department said to The
Times yesterday at the Navy Department
that discharges are not made by Mr- eillng
and that therefore he coi!d i'll no wise be
responsible for any OF the abuses charged
All the appointments to places, he SAID, are
made by Commander Lightsey, which ap-
poiutmentsareapproved by ytbecemmandant
OF The navy yard SO that IL IL likely tiat
they Will respond TO the charges
It was, this officer continued, with
view OF taking the eappoiDtmeutso out OF poll
tics that they are intrrsted to one man
because ttefe was no other way or secur-
fr,fr ttr.N.ss
AS to the co;npetepcy Of Mr. Welling, the
foreman, it was argued>at the department
that lie must be a capable officer, as he
now fills his place by virtue OF COM
petitive examination in which he made SO
pereent. Another applicant however, made
50, but for additional reasons Mr- True
man yelling was selected.
II Is pla in from what was said at the
departpIent that Mr.. yelling viii be relieved
OF the responsibility and that the inyesti-
cation will be directed toward Others
1t was stated that appointments TO the
kind OF place held by Mr.. Gross are not
made with reg tru to Dlitics. but from list
which is kept OF eligible men who are recon-
nicnded from their various trades
SOME MISTAKES RECTIFIED.
II was admitted that some time ago there
but they were recfiffed. IL occurred in
the case OF two branches of moulders- Dis
placements In the lower grades were 1llied
by appointments from the higher grade, DlI
Lon proper representation tb Is was rectilied.
This appears to give warrant 10 the telief
| that some mistakes can be made officially
as to the appointments
The department relies on the following
sections OF navy yard order. No. 23. IN the
| case of Mr.. Gross:
| "62 When discharges ire necessary from
want OF work they shall be niade from navy
ward orders, form Z, by the head OF the De
partnient. subject to the approval OF the
| tontinandant. and those whose services are
| OF the least value shall be fist dispensed
with.
.63 The head of each department shall
be personally re 50 onsib e for the perforniap nee
4 of the duties enioined upon hlni py tGe
! preceding paragraph, and 1t shall be his
duty to faIni:i rize himself from time to TIM e
/ so far as may be. with the quality OF the
/ services rendered by each worsman n IN orlei I
| that he rna : himself decide upon discharges
! Section 63 throws the responsibility OF
| one officer. VINO is not Mr.: Yelling
| 1t is apparent. however. that the lhVesu
| c,tion will cover a great deal more gronnG
than the mere discharge OF Mr.. Gross anc ne
especially as he furnishes the names OF ,h -
| many men who are relied upon TO SUD
| stantiate the charges.