Evening star., 1902-01-09
FURLOUGH OF EMPLOYEES
ASSOCIATION OF MACHINIsTs MAKES
SUGGESTION TO NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Objections of Ohicials. However, Sus-
tanned by the Secretary
The Correspondence.

Secretary Long recently received a letter
from Mr.. A. H. Chase of Columbia Lodge.
No la, International Association OF Ma
cnlnlsts, representing the machinists at the
washington navy yard in regard to the re-
cent order for the furlough of employees of
the naval gun factory in consequence or
the deficiency existing i'm the appropriation
for naval ordnance.
While the men in the factory" said Mr.
Chase, are ready to cheerfully submit to
any solution of the present emergency due
to lack of funds, that may be devised by
the department, in order to avoid a general
reduction in the force, We desire to re-
specttully submit q plan which has we un-
derstand, been resorted to in the govern
ment printing office under a similar emer-
gency.
IL Is that the force pe employed full time
but that certain number of days' nav be
Withheld each half month until such time
as the present deficiency may be provided
for This would operate in the interests of
poth the government and the men: under
II the gun factory would be producing its
maximum output without cessation and the
men would not be compelled to endure en-
forced idleness. We respectfulIy reoues,
that You take this suggestion under advise
ment, and trust that you will find II prac-
ticable" - f
shown In the following letter. addressed
to Mr. Chase Of the International Associa-
ton of Machinists:
Departments Opinion.
Dear Sir: The department has 10 ac-
kEowledge the receipt of your letter of
December p. containing suggestion Of Co.
lumbia Lodge that in lieu of furloughing
employees at the Washington navy yard, a
certain aumber of days pay be withheld
each half month. to be paid when the de-
tciency is provided for. The matter was
referred to the chief of the bureau of ord
nance and the judge advocate general and
has been returned with the following state
men:s:
From the chief of the bureau Of ordnance:
AS matters now stand certain of the
employees have already been furloughed,
and to favor those who have not been
would probably lead to dissatisfaction:
therefore, the bureau is of opinion that it
is best not to favorably consider the recon-
mendation referred to-
From the judge advocate general.
"ln addition to the reason urged by the
bureau of ordnance, to the effect that. as
certain Of the employees have already been
1urloughed, to favor those VINO have not
would lead to dissatisfaction / am of opIn-
ion that 1t would be unlawful for sthe de-
partnent to anticipate an appropriation
that may never be made, by permitting the
employees referred to within to perform
labor under the promise of compensation
therefor if the money shall become avail
able" Such course would appear to be in
violation of section 3679 of the Revised
Statutes, providing that
No department Of the government shall
eNpend in any one fiscal year anv sum in
excess of appropriations made by Con-
gress for that fiscal year, or involve the
government in any contract for the future
payment Of money in excess of such ap-
p! !opriations'-
Or would be tantamount to accepting VOL
untary services prohibited by the act of
May l.. 1884 Il Supp. r. S. 42), which pro-
vides that
Hereafter no department or officer of
the United States shall accept voluntary
service for the government, or employ per-
sonal service in excess of that authorized
by law except in case of sudden emergency
involving loss OF human life or the destruc-
tion of property
The department concurs in the opinion Of
the judge advocate general.
Very truly yours
(Signed) JOHN D. LONG
Secretary.