Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-02
WORKMAN GROSS. DISCHARGE.
The Navy Boards Rcport-.The Conn
ptafnant's Protest,

The Navy Boards Rcport--The Conn
piafnant's Protest.
The case of Charles Gross As aRain he
fore the Navy Department Gross is a dis
charged laborer at the navy yard. He was
employed in the department CT yards and
decks, and, with several other laborers.
was discharged q few weeks ago. on the
ground Of lack of work" Gross made a
vigorous protest to the Secretary of the
Navy against his discharge. He charged
generally that the foreman of the yard had
discriminated against him and the other
uhfortu hates on POLITICAL grounds Accord
ing to Gross, the foreman had caused the
clscharge of. good, sober and competent
men, and the retention of inefficient men of
o;ssipated habits. He also alleged that the
foreman had intrusted important work to
men who were drunk and unfit to perforn,
1t.
Secretary Herbert considered the matter
sfiu Nhsily referred 1t to the commandment
OF the yard for investigation and renort
In his letter to the commandant the SEE,
rotary called specifically. for a report as m
the cause of the discharge of Gross and
auoea mat the charges contained in the
iaiefs petition. which did not bear on
mat point, were so indefinite as not 70
call for investigation" "
Commodore Howell, in command of the
"ppo-hteu board, consisting of
Lieut. Commander A. Dunlap and Iieuts
.. n: Moore and j. j. Knapp, TO ascertain
the facts connected with the d.scharee of
Gross. The board mas just completed its
Io.y, us report Is brief, but positive The
BOARD informed the commandment that
charies Gross was DISCHARGED from lack
OF funds by the head of the denartment
Vhe oiiicer in charge of the DEPARTMENT az
sarus ana doeksl with the approval of the
commandment. in accordance with the nro
visions OF e. of navy ward order % re-
v.sed." =" IT,
The order referred to is one of the reer-
.ations Oh the Navy Department governing
the employment of labor at navy wards IT
Is as follows: -
w men discharges are necessary from
want of work they shall be made On navy
nara orders. form Z. by the head of the de-
pertment, subject TO. the approval of the
communicate, and those whose services are
with" ~ N-speHseu
ahe commandant sent a COPY of the re-
port Ie the Navy Department and Score
tary Herbert sent q letter to Mr. Gross in
forming him Of the result of the inyest,ea-
ton. i'esHsa-
Gross Complaint.
A second petition, asking a full and conn
pie.e investigation, and stating the names
OF an parties concerned. is, according to Mr..
A %. webb attorney for Gross. soon to be
presented TO the Secretary of the Navy.
Hnoss ana MS attorney complained that
tne investigating board did not give to Gross
iuu opportunity to be heard. The board
.ney claim Logan an investigation at the
YARD November %, and after the examine
tion or one or two witnesses, adjourned until
the LIST ultimo On the latter date Attorney
Nepp declares. he went to the yard pre-
pared 10 @ ahead with the Investigation
Out was advised by the board that ~ bao a.
cioea not to enter any further into the in
Festlgation 1T seems, from their action
says Mr.. Gross, that they are determined
mat the facts in the case shall not be known
20 the PUBIC; at least, through that body
OF men, and cannot consider sl,ch nracaed
hgs any more or less than a farce"
1t Is intilnated that in the second petition
soon TO be presented charges of political
nlaneuVering VIII be made, involving sew
erai prominent persons