The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-13
ROOSEyELT's REPORT.
He Finds Everything to Have Been
Done in a Proper Manner at
New York

Washington, Aug. 13.-Acting Secre-
tary Roosevelt has made public the re-
port of Commander Davis upon the re-
suits of his investigation into the con-
duct of the New York navy yard in its
construction department by Construc-
tor BOwleS.
vindicates Mr.. Bowles management at
every point, and Acting Secretary
Roosevelt has accepted in full the con-
clusions reached The case will not
again be reopened. In his Endorsement
upon the report, which is of general in
terest in many points because of the
policy laid down as to veterans, Mr..
Roosevelt says:
THE department fully sustains the
conclusions of Commander Davis as
to the charges against Mr.. Bowles. In
SO far as they relate to alleged political
discrimination, or the appointment OF
outsiders and the retention of un-
worthy in preference to worthy men,
these charges are not only d1SproVed,
but are shown to rest upon nothing
more substantial than malicious or
frivolous gossip, or else upon the belief
of the less competent workmen that
they and not their superior officers are
the proper judges of their efficiency.
There is no ground whatsoever for
complaint of the veterans against Mr..
Bowles, but in the department of yards
and docks it does appear that Mr..
Mr.. Menocal admits that he was as
good the three non-veteranS who
were retained. Mr.. Reed, will, accord
ingly be reinstated, not because he has
any legal claim, but because it is the
policy of the department where men
are equally good, to retain the veterans
in case it is necessary to make a dis
charge.
.sThe legal rights of the veterans
have not only been carefully preserved
by the navy department, but in ITS
labor regulations it has gone very TAR
beyond what the law requires In CIV
sv,e to
sailors having, indeed, gone to the very
verge of the line which divides 1nefh-
cheney from efficiency in the effort to
do all that is possible for the soldiers
and sailors of the late war. In ap-
pointments from the lists the veterans
are given an absolute preference, anu
when discharged, if they have behaved
welI-even though less well than the
others-they are still given preference
In consequence the department has at
times serious difficulty in getting its
work done, for some OF the DIVISIONS
are so crowded with veterans, now Tor
the most part elderly men, that the
work is in constant danger of deterlor-
alton.
IAN that saves the work from deter
ioration is strict obedience on the part
of the head of the division or bureau,
to the departments orders that IN
making discharges the men who do IN
efficient work shall invariably be dis
charged first. The sole test is ineff1-
cheney of work. To introduce any otn-
er tests-to make. for instance, an al
| Iowance on behalf of veteran for IN
efficient work-would speedily produce
| the most damaging effect upon the de-
| partment- and Nould mean the hab1h-
| ty of causing at any time some great
| structural weakness or defect IN the
| ebins of war to which the nations hon
| or is entrusted. Such. a course is not
| TO be contemplated for a moment and
will not be urged by the PATRIOTIC men
| "(Signedo THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
| "Acting Secretary