The San Francisco call., 1896-04-06
Engineering Department Force
Reduced for Lack of
Funds.
ENL1sTMENTs FOR THE OREGON
The Battle Ships Crew to Be Secured
Next Week-Pay-Day Scenes
at the Station.

steam launches are under course of con-
struction in the boatshop at Mare Island
for the two gunboats to be built at the
Union Iron Works. BY a recent order OF
the Secretary of the Navy all boats for
vessels hereafter to be built are to be made
at the various yards belonging to the Gov
ernment, it having been demonstrated that
when so constructed they are superior in
workmanship.
Next week the enlistment of men for the
battle-ship Oregon will commence on the
receiving-ship. All men now in the SER
vice with less than three months to serve
will receive their discharge, to enable
those so desiring to reship, that they may
have a full three years cruise aboard the
Oregon.
1t is expected that the monitor Monad-
mock will be back at San Francisco on
Monday, and possibly it may return to the
yard for short time.
Eighteen men have been discharged
from the steam engineering department
for lack of work and money. The last pay
day showed decrease Of 1000 or $12 900
from the month previous, there being but
about SIS. 900 disbursed. Many of the men
laid off were evidently out-of-town me,
chanics, judging from the fact that imme-
diately after payday the express company
shipped 5000 or $500 in small amounts to
various families. Heretofore all clerks and
appointees have received their usual sti-
pend on the last day of the month. This
order has been changed, and now they are
to be paid twice a month-on the 1st and
18th. The workmen receive their money
the 10th and 25th OF the month. This
keeps the pay department officers busy
After the money is received in the pay
Office the sacks are EN- ptied of their con.
tents and the coin counted and tested by
the paymaster, his clerks and those under
them. Either one of these men is so ex-
pert in his duties that the first touch is
sufficient to test the genuineness of the
money. The coin is then placed in en-
velopes-so much for each man-and
marked with the department. amount and
number of the man, corresponding with
that on the payroll. The money is de-
posted in one or the other of the two great
safes in the paymasters Office, and at
night extra guards are placed on duty, one
of whom every quarter or half hour DUR
ing the night rings the telephone bell con-
Meeting with the guardhouse at the gate.
that the bell fails to ring, the sergeant or
corporal of the guard visits the building
in which the money is kept 10 ascertain
the cause.
When payday comes, usually day or
two after the moneys arrival at the yard,
typewriter notices are sent to the vari-
Gus departments giving the rotation in
which they are to be paid. At the noon
hour the men are all on hand and take
their places in line, as nearly as possible in
accordance with their number on the roll.
and as one of the clerks call out the num-
Der Pay Clerk Bollard passes out the en-
velope containing the amount due the
man. In less than twenty minutes more
than $50 900 has been paid out for the half
month S work, IN sums ranging from 50 16
to $780, The officers receive their pay the
last day OF the month, and with hut one
exceptlon-the conmandant-all go to the
pay office, receive the amount due them
and sign the receipt book.
The Bennington is lying at the wharf in
commission, together with the Baltimore.
out OF commission. But little is being
done on them for want of funds. It is
hoped the contingent appropriation made
in the House will not be hung up in the
Senate; otherwise necessary work will be
retarded.
Under tie direction of Mesdames Howl.
son and Shedding, wives of the comand-
ant and paymaster, respectively, prepara-
tions are being made for flower show or
festival at the yard Thursday afternoon.
Carriages will oe festooned with Flora's
choicest offerings from the beautiful
gardens surrounding the quarters In the
evening the first of series of hops will be
given in the sail loft, which will be beauti.
fully decorated with flowers.