Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-24
A VETERANS REQUEST
Unusual Letter Received at
Navy Department.
WANTS ORDER REVOKED
FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
FOR A FOREMAN.
Implied Threat if Heed is Not Taken
The Condition at the New
York Yard.

Astounding in it's tone Is a letter which
reached the Navy Department today from
George Jackson, VINO says he is the secre-
tary of the executive and memorial COM
mittee of the Grand Army Posts of Kings
County, N. Y, an organization of thirty
one posts and 1900 members.
Mr.. Jackson requests that the Navy De-
partment revoke the order recently issued
by Naval Constructor Capps at the New
York navy yard for a competitive examina-
ton at that yard on August % for the posi-
ton of foreman. The request Is accom-
panied with the threat that unless some
thing is done in this matter you will hear
from us (the veterans) this fall
By order of Acting Secretary Darling the
letter has been sent to Naval Constructor
Caps, who is now making report on the
situation for the departments guidance in
replying to Mr.. Jackson and the complain
ants. Meanwhile Mr.. Darling has ad-
acknowledging the receipt of the letter, ig-
noring it's threat, and saying the request
will be given proper consideration Mr.
jackson is also assured that justice will
certainly be done.
A Vital Principal at Stake.
Briefly this is the situation at the New
York yard, and as vital principle is at
stake the department regards the question
as of farreaching Importance: Because
the force at the New York yard has recent
ly been increased it became necessary to
appoint an additional foreman. The exam
ination for this position will be held August
% Men of good character are eligible for
this examination, and the appointment will
be made entirely on merit.
Appointment of an additional foreman
hn or ttr,, nf
quarterman in charge, who until the in
crease in the force, was able to discharge
the work of foreman. The present quar-
terman in charge Is William Helme, a mem
Der of the veterans association. If Helme
passes the examination he will be appoint
ed foreman. If he fails he will be con-
tinued probably quarterman, provided
he is able to do the work.
Wants to Get Rid of Them.
The veterans employed at the yard, of
whom there are a number. say that Naval
Constructor Capps wants to get rid of
them In his letter to the Navy Depart
ment Jackson says that the veterans are
''in arms at Constructor Caps action
He says the veterans association thinks
the veterans at the New York navy yard
are deserving of consideration in view of
their services in the civil war. He admits
that they are not, in many instances, capa-
uAo VI ehc Woih leQulIeu ny the pOSltlOnS
they now hold, but recommends that when
ever they get too old they be transferred
to such light work. as they can do He
does not deny that the action of Naval
Constructor Caps is in the interest of the
work In hand. At the bureau of construc-
ton and repair it is said that the question
Is merely whether the navy yards of the
country are to be maintained to furnish
easy work for veterans to turn out eff
Client ships. 1t is also declared that II
Constructor Caps order for a preliminary
rlous for the work at the New York yard
Indignation at Navy Department.
At the Navy Department the officials do
not wish to be placed in the attitude of
antagoniZing the welfare of the veterans,
but there is indignation among them at
the tone Of the letters appearing in the
press and those received on the subject at
the Navy Department from veterans. 1t
is pointed out that the administration will
not De threatened into taking action. After
Naval Constructor Caps is given the op-
portunity to render his report on the sub
ject. the department will announce its ac-
ton.
At the Navy Department nothing is
Known of the report that an intimat ton
mas gone out from Oyster Bay that the re-
quest OF Geo. B. Jackson would be granted
No such intimation has reached here.
If the Navy Department should adopt the
course laid down in Mr.. Jackson's letter
at the various navy yards. 1t is probable
the civil service commission would enter
prompt protest. The law provides that
when veterans come up for appointment in
the government service they shall be given
preference over applicants Of equal quail