New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-15

derstood all the points in the case. or the easy
way out of what must have been dsagreeable
matter
ROOSEVELT sUSTAINS ROWLES.
There is a general and not entirely restrained
feeling of satisfaction and qualification over the
comments made by Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt on the findings OF Commander Charles II.
Davis. who conducted the supplementary investl-
CATION into the affairs Of the Department Of Con-
struction and Repair and the treatment Of labor
by Francis i. Bowes the Chief Naval Con-
sructor. The Assistant Secretary's remarks are
all the more pertinent and pleasant because he
personally had some experience with the men
who have been stirring up the muss, and knows
Just what he has to deal with. Politicians who
are hunting for places for their friends VINO nave
pulls" will not be satisfied with the way IN
which Mr.. Bowles has been sustained, but those
who are in earnest about having the AFFAIRS OF
an extensive and expensive department or Gov
eminent industry conducted on business basis
and in a businesske manner will have no fault
to find. The report of Mr.. Roosevelt in full is as
follows:
The Department fully sustans the conclusion, -, OF
Bowes In far as they relate TO alleged ponticai
discrimina ton, or the appointment OF ou,s n,h
and retention of unworthy in preference 10 worthy
men, these charges are not only disproVeu out are
shown to rest upon nothing more suoSta' a. .' h
lief OF none the less competent workmen that they.
Judges of their efficiency. The attention OF Con
siructor Bowes will be especially called TO that
part OF Commander Davis's report warning MN az
TO being sometimes overharsh. and following too
implicitly the recommendations OF leading men ana
for the attacks upon Mr.. Bowles Is 70 be found
not in the fact that he has done badly, but thai
he has done well. He has shown great energy ana
capacity in handling men; he has paid heed solely
to the needs OF the Government work. and has
flhI i-h
among laborers in the yard; he has absolutely DIS
REGARDED all political $50 IN "a bm nv
IDENTITY arises mainly from the fact that under MN
for the first time ii has been Impossible to pro-
cure the reinstatement retention OF men guilty
OF misconduct who possessed political influence.
trivial as compared with the evil of allowing men
! to shrk or be guilty Of other misconduct; pro-
cause OF his refusal to permit this that MT Bowies
The standard of work in the Brooklyn Navy
Yard has been appreciably raised under Constructor
Bowcs. The complaints against him have now nov;
once at great length by Commander Davis. The
widest latitude has been given 10 every one one VINO
evident that there Is no foundation whatever Tor
these CHARGES There can be no possible excuse us,
again be reopened
RIGHTS OF VETERANS PRESERVED.
As regards the charges made by the veterans. 1t
appears that there is no ground whatsoever for
plant against Mr. Bowles. and the testimony OF the
witnesses produced tells very strongly IN his faVor.
and incidentally shows that under the Labor Board
scrupuous heed is paid 10 the rights Of veterans
But in the Department OF Yards and Docks 1t does
appear that Mr. Reed. veteran. was discharged
when Mr.. Menocal admits that he was as good as
the three on-Veterans who were retained. Mr.
Reed will accordingly be reinstated. not because he
has any legal claim. for he has none but because 1t
is the policy OF the Department. where men are
equally good. TO retain the veterans In IL IL
necessary 10 make 4 discharge The legal rights Of
the have not only been carefully preserved
by the Navy Department. but In its labo- regula
II has very be " hat he law
quires In giving preference TO veterans. having, in
deed gone TO the very verge of the line which
divides ineficlency from efficiency In the effort
do all that Is possible for the soldiers and sailors
Of the late war. In appointments from the lists the
veterans given an absolute preference. and
when DISCHARGED. II they have behaved we-even
though less well than the others they are still given
preference In consequence the Department at
times has serious difficulty In getting It's work done
for some OF the divisions are so crowded with vet
for the most part elderly men past their
prime OF lie. that the work is In constant danger
Of deterioration. All that saves the work from de-