The Washington times., 1902-04-03
Prominent Leaders Before
Committee on Naval
Affairs.
DECLARE PLAN ECONOMICAL
Congressman Ply Visitors With Many
Questions-Strong Doubts Exist as to
Alleged Enormous Profits in Construc-
tion of Battleships.

The House Committee on Naval Affairs
yesterday gave a hearing to the repre-
sentatives of labor organizations, seeking
TO have the construction of battleships,
cruisers, torpedo boats. etc, transferred
from private to Government naval yards.
Messrs. James OConnell, president OF
the International Association of Machin-
lists: r. S. Wilson, an employe of the Nor
folk Navy Yard: Richard Marshall Nor
folk attorney, and T. r. Fry, at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, made the argu-
ments before the committee.
Mr.. O'Conneli. who headed the disas-
trous strike of his association last spring,
was the first speaker. He was questioned
closely by a member of the committee
present. Representative Wheeler OF Ken
lucky asked If it were from patriotic or
selfish motives that the labor organiza-
tions were behind the movement
Mr.. o'Connell replied that it was be-
lieved it would be better for all the peo-
pie, and especially for the labor organiza-
tions He asked for the building of at
least one ship in each Government yard.
SO as to keep a large force in each yard
constantly employed.
Would Save Money.
In reply TO Representative Louden-
slayer Mr.. OCcnnell said that if the Gov
ernment builds its ships the money now
going into the pockets of the owners OF
the private shipyards would go into the
pockets of the thousands of laborers in
the Government yards. Questions by
Representatives Roberts of Massachu-
sets, Butler of Pennsylvania, and others
Indicated strong doubt in their minds
as to the enormous profits in the con-
struction of Government vessels oi whlch
Mr. OConnell had spoken
Mr. Butler said he had a yard in his
district which declined to bid on Gov
ernment work. because there was Lot a
fair margin of profit in il. Representa-
tives Roberts, Loudensiager, and others
referred to the fate of the late John
Roach, the great shipbuilder. who was
ruined by Government contracts.
An acrimonious dispute between Rep
resentative Butler and o'Conneif was
precipitated by the suggestion OF Mr..
Butler that before the labor leaders ad-
vocated the construction of battleships
at the Mare Island yard they should get
enough water there to float battleship.
tions tending to bring out the fact that
O'Connell was not equipped with OFF,
cial facts to Justify his contentious, and
OConnen sharply retorted that as But
Ter was member of the Committee on
Naval Affairs it was his business to be
informed on such subjects.
Tells of Norfolk Yard.
Mr.. Wilson followed, stating that he
IN
yard. He said the Norfolk yard was al
most equal to any private yard in the
country, and with the addition of a few
pieces of heavy machinery, could go right
ahead with the construction of battle
ships.
You say you have everything in the
Norfolk yard you need?" queried Mr.
Butler
Yes, sir,' replied the witness.
We'll, / am very glad to hear that -
responded the Congressman, for now
when the big estimates for the improve
ment of the Norfolk yard comes in, | will
feel justified in voting against them
In reply TO questions by Representative
Wheeler the witness maintained that bet
ter ships can be turned out in Govern
ment yards than in private yards, and
that in the end they would be cheaper
The witness spoke of the difficulty If
keeping a sufficient force in the yards
constantly, because the repair work 1as
not sufficient TO keep them occupied. He
thought there was less incentive to dis
honesty in connection with work in Gov
ernmeDt yards than in private yards
Temptations Are Less.
do you mean that employees of Gov
those In private yards?" asked Repre-
sentative Loudenslager.
Not exactly" replied the witness.
those in Government yards are not ex-
posed to SO much temptation"
Mr.. Wilson said there was no reason
why the Government shouldn't build its
own ships as well as the men who were
now constructing them by contract. H.
Informed the committee that should such
a condition come to pass the work would
be infinitely superior, as Government en-
ployes were less given TO deception than
mechanics employed in private concerns
The Government employe," said Mr.
Butler, has a civil service examination
10 teach him"
Representative Wheeler with such fervor
that everyone laughed. The anti-civil
service views Of this Congressman are
well known.
During the hearing Representative But
Ter made some comment about the Board
Of Trade of Vallejo Cal, which is mailing
to Senators and Representative in Con-
gress circulars and placards demanding
that the Government build its own ships
and furnishing figures purporting to show
the enormous profits made by private con-
Germs in constructing war vessels.
In mentioning the price paid for one
Government vessel constructed by pri-
vate concern, the Chamber of Commerce
exceeded the actual cost by 5000, 600.
Disagrees With Claims.
Mr.. Butler made the observation that
be could not see how the Mare Island
Navy Yard could be benefited even
should the Government build its own
ships as the water was not deep enough
there to float a cruiser. He also wanted
TO know why, in mentioning The differen;
navy yards which were sufficiently equip
ped to construct battleships, the League
Island, Pa, yard was not mentioned
Mr. o'Connell told MIR. Butter that the
Navy Department would substantiate the
statements made by the Vallejo Board Of
Trade.
GQEEcE ANN TIIPkEY