Evening star., 1901-08-09
New Organization Of Navy Yard and
Arsenal Employees.
PERMANENT OFFICERS ELECTED
Management of international Ma
chinists' Association Criticised.
THE n A NJ Z A d 0 p T E D

In response to call which had been
signed by 500 Washington navy yard en-
ployes a meeting was held in McCauley
Hall last night and an association formed
which is intended to bring together the
navy yard and arsenal employees through
out the country The Navy Yard En-
ployes Protective Association was chosen
name for the new organization, with
the understanding that the word arsenal
should be added as soon arsenal en-
ployes are represented.
The navy yard machinists were the prime
movers both in originating the plan and in
perfecting the organization. 1t was evi-
dent from the explanations made on the
floor of the hall after the meeting had been
called to order that there is general and
growing dissatisfaction regarding the man
agement of the International Association
of MachiniSts. The name of James OCon-
nell national president of that organiza-
ton, was mentioned several times by diff
ferent speakers, and his conduct of the
present strike for the nine-hour day was
severely criticised.
Each one of these speakers. however de-
clared himself to be thoroughly in harmony
with the principles of the machinstS' as
sociation, but each pointed out that me-
chanics in the employ of the government
had special interests in the way of legisla-
tion which needed united action In this
connection it was mentioned that both Mr..
OConneH and Samuel Gompers. president
of the American Fedora ton of Labor, op-
posed the fifteen days leave bill of navy
yard and arsenal employees, passed at the
last session of Congress, on the ground
that it was interfering with the eight-hOur
bill, which was being pushed by the fedora
ton.
Increase in Pay and Privileges.
John Simering, who called the meeting to
order declared in his opening remarks
that the mechanics in the navy yards and
arsenals ought not to rest until they had
not only thirty days of annual leave, but
thirty days of sick leave as well, and an
increase in pay to 81 a day
Mr.. Sfmering was elected temporary
chairman, and Henry w. Miller temporary
secretary. There We're between eighty and
100 men present, and the opening remarks
of Mr.. Simering were heartily applauded.
What was needed, he said, was an organi-
ZatiOn which would make navy yard and
arsenal employees independent of the ma
chiniSts organization. An order that would
include not only the machinists, but all
other classes of mechanics, helpers and
labOrerS He suggested that if thought
best the new order could become affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor.
Mr.. Simering was followed by Mr.. Miller,
who said the machinists in the employ of
the government were being heavily taxed
sociatiOn in luxury. He declared that the
recent convention of the association held
in Toronto, Canada had cost $1,000, while
during the month of June but $1,000 was
spent by these same officers for the support
of the strikers.
Permanent Officers Elected.
The work of forming a permanent organi-
zation was then proceeded with. w. A.
Craig was elected president Mr.. Craig is
a machnist, but not a member of the ma
chinists' association. He said, taking
the chair, that he was heartily in favor Of
the objects of the new order. Charles Wa
termeyer was elected vice president; Henry
w. Miller, recording secretary; E. S. Nor
gam financial secretary, and c. Stanley
Klein, treasurer. The office of past presi-
dent was created and John Simering unani-
mOusly elected to the office.
A committee on name and bylaws was
appointed, consisting of VIM. j. Belts,
Frank De Group and Seaton G. German.
This committee reported the name Navy
Yard Employees Protective Association"
with the conditions to the word arsenal,
as stated, which was adopted.
large number of those present signed
the roll, but 1t was decided that until the
bylaws should be prepared no one should
be bound as members. In answer to cues
tons on the subject, it was brought out
that the membership of machinists in the
machiniStS' association would not be affect
ed by joining the new organization An
adjournment was taken for two weeks to
allow the committee on bylaws time to
prepare report.