The times., 1899-08-29
BADGES OF SERVIPUDE
Navy Yard Employees Opinion of a
Recent Innovation.
Brass Shields With Numbers to he
Worn In n Conspicuous Place Is
sued to the Yard and Dock Men
Mnchinists Declare They VIII Not
Wear the TnEs-TaIk of a strike.

Government employees in the navy ward
are incensed at a recent order of the ward
officials compelling each man to wear sus-
pended around his neck, or attached to his
nat. brass tag bearing a number. by
which. 1t is said. employees are to be known
instead of by their names, as hitherto
! While the order has not been put into
execution in all of the departments as
| yet, IL Is understood that the tags will be
generally introduced within few days.
Yesterday the first tags were distributed
among the yard and dock men. There are
about fifty of these laborers in the yard,
and while the order compelling them to
display badge was regarded with the
greatest repugnance, they quietly sub
mitted- They say they are in hearty SYM
pathy with any organized attempt to have
the obnoxious order repealed, and will
join the men belonging to labor unions
should they decide to seriously object TO
wearing the tags.
Rumors OF the proposed plan OF the
navy yard authorities to number each en-
ploye have been circulated among the men
for several days, but it was not until yes-
teruay morning that 1t was generally be-
iieved- When the yard and dock men ap-
pearsd at work each man bearing badge
with number stamped upon ii in black
letters, opposition to the novelty assumed
shape The men in the machine shops say
that they will positively refuse to wear
the badges, and that il they are insisted
upon they Will strike. In no other factory
or shop where large numbers of men are
employed. they say, is such a system in
operation, and they consider the order OF
the navy yard authorities as being aimed
at their personal liberty Speaking to a.
reporter for The Times last night one of
the machinists employed at the yard
stated that the order was most obnoxious
and that 1t was most surely brewing
trouble.
1T is rumored.'' said the same employe
that the order is to be enforced throughout
the entire yard. While this has not been
actually stated, it is well understood now
that 2,7G0 of these badges have been cr-
dered- There are twenty-seven hundred
men employed as mechanics in the yard and
the order viii no doubt be enforced upon
them. 1t is also understood that the clerks
and other employees not classed as me-
chanics VIII not be obliged TO wear the
tags We will not submit TO this degrada-
tion, for We do not deserve it, 1t is hu-
initiating to be obliged to wear these tags
as though we were dogs and not men, Ths
system must have been copied from some
penal institution, and as we are free-born
American citizens, and not criminals. we
viii most emphatieaIIy protest against such
treatment"
1t was stated by one of the employees last
night that if the yard and dock men would
organize union the mechanics would 20
out with them until the order was repealed.
1t was said confidently that if an attempt
should be made TO force the tags upon the
machinists they would leave the yard in a
body. The maehinists will hold a meeting
in few days to discuss the matter. and
in the event that the order compelling them
to wear tags is enforced a committee VIII be
appointed to visit the Secretary of the Navy
and secure, if possible, his disapproval OF
the innovation. AS it is, the men are up
in arms, and intend to fight the new rule
1t Is said that Lieutenant Napp suggested
the plan. and that il has received the ap-
proyal of the commandant of the yard and
Captain Pendieton.
The idea, it is understood, is that the In
PRODUCTION of the tags viii be an efficient
aid 10 the supervision of the force employed
in the yard. Men will hereafter be known
by their numbers. and it can be more read
lily told when they are absent from their
regular departments. This, it is hoped. win
prevent men from wasting time and make
it possible for an officer to locate man
found idling when he should be at work
1t is argued that in handling a large force
of men il is almost impossible for each one
TO be followed, and the plan OF having each
employe numbered will be material help