Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-15
wORkMEN AT NAVY YARDS.
Appointment Clerk Peters Talks on
the LuM mud RegulntiQua.

Appointment Clerk Peters Talks on
the Law and Regulations.
There seems to be a general misunder-
standing among veterans as to the laws
end regulations which govern their en-
ployment and retention as workmen at
navy yards" remarked Mr.. B. F. Peters,
appointment clerk of the Navy Depart
ment, in the course of general conversa-
ton with The Star reporter and others to-
day. 1.-The only laws on the statute books"
he continued, that affect the employment
of veterans as workmen at navy yards are
contained in sections 1874 and 1854 of the
Revised Statutes. The former provides
that Labor shall be employed in the sew
eral navy yards by the proper officers in
charge, with reference to skill and eftl-
cheney, and without regard to other con-
sderatiors.' Section 1854 provides that
Persons honorably discharged from the
military or naval service by reason of dis
ability resulting from wounds or sickness
incurred in the line of duty shall be pre-
ferred for appointment to civil offices, pro-
vided they are found to possess the bust
ress capacity necessary for the proper
discharge of the duties Of such Offices
The Department Regulations.
1.-The Navy Department regulations gov
erning the employment of labor at navy
yards" said Mr.. Peters. provide that in
taking on workmen the names of all veter-
ans registered in the trade in which they
are needed are certified in the order Of
their registration, beginning with the first
and ending with the last name OF. the list.
After the names of veterans are exhausted
In a trade, those who have bad navy yard
experience and given satisfaction in navy
yard work are certified, and then follow all
others on the register in the order of their
registration. However, after they are talk
en- on the provisions of section 1914 of the
Revised Statutes govern, and the Navy De-
partment regulations provide as follows:
when discharges are necessary from
want of work they shall be made by the
head of the department, subject to the ap-
proval Of the commandant, and those whose
services are of the least value shall be
first dispensed with
The head of each department shall be
personally responsible for the performance
of the duties enjoined upon him by the pre-
ceding paragraph, and 1t shall be his duty
to familiarize himself from time to time.
so far as may be, with the quality OF the
services rendered by each workman in or
der that he may himself decide upon dis
charges. When making discharges for
want Of work the head of the department
before taking up cases of individual work
men shall first decide what proportion of
first second, third and fourth class work
men respectively should be retained. TAX
ing as the basis the force as 1t will be when
the reduction is effected. discharges shall
then be made accordingly of those whose
services are of the least value, in the sew
eral grades from which the reduction Is to
be made
1.-The commandants of the various navy
yards and all persons charged with the
employment or discharge Of employees have
been instructed that in discharging work.
men. other qualifications being equal, they
are to give preference for retention to vet
Grams; but where. the qualifications are not
equal, the retention of mechanics and Ia
borers depends upon their skill and eff
cheney. Tho department has no other prac-
teal way of determining the fitness of me-
chanics than to accept the opinions Of Of
ficers who are in charge of work at yards:
but it has been the uniform practice of
Secretary Herbert to give every considera-
ton to the claims CT deserving soldiers and
sailors to suitable employment"