Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-31
c H A R GES OEN|E D
Alleged Discrimination in
Brooklyn Navy Yard.
VETERANS EMPLOYED
CONSTRUCTOR CAPPs SAYS THAT
NUMBER HAS BEEN INCREASED.
Replies to Recent Allegations of 6. II.
Jackson, Representing Com
mittee of the G. A. r.
VETERANS EMPLOYED

Acting Secretary Darling of the Navy De-
partment has received a report from NaVai
Constructor Capps, in charge Of the de-
partment Of construction and repair at the
New York navy yard, in regard to the re-
cent communication received at the depart
ment from G. H. Jackson, secretary of the
memorial executive committee of the G.. A.
R., Brooklyn, relative to alleged discrimi-
nation against veterans of the war of the
rebellion in the employment of labor at
that yard.
The Order in Question.
Constructor Capps quotes extracts from
navy yard order No. %, governing the en-
ployment of labor at navy yards, and says,
"While this order places the direct respon-
sibility for discharges upon the head of the
department it Is customary to receive
recommendations from master workmen;
but the value given these recommendations
was necessarily dependent upon the conii-
dence repOSed in such master WOrkmen by
the head of the department concerned AS
to the statement made by Mr.. Jackson that
the constructor "caused a notice to be
posted in the yard for an examination OF
foreman of laborers with an increase OF
pay etc." Constructor CappS says 1t seems
merely necessary to state that the nouce
was navy yard order No. 40S, lated August
8, 1904, and signed by the assistant secre-
tary of the navy.
AS to the allega tions that it is intended
"to deprive the present quarterman of his
position for his failure to discharge veter-
ans etc, and the name of the party Is
known who will get the place, and then the
old veterans will be weeded out by de-
grees," ETC., Constructor capps says it Is
only necessary to state that the name of
the party can be determined only as re-
suit of the examination ordered in navy
va r6 n W mi n1 he
explains. is open to all corners who fulfill
the requirements of the order. He adds
that the determination of the name of the
successful candidate will be made by
board of three officers.
The Employment of Veterans.
THAT the provisions of the regulations
governing the employment of laborers in
navy yards have been carried out in this
department" says Constructor Capps, ''the
following facts concerning laborers, taken
from the official records of this department,
give ample evidence. The number of la
borers on the rolls March /, 1901, was 23S,
out of which number 217 were veterans and
p non-veterans
The number of 1aborers on the rolls
august 1, 1903 was 337. of which number
olS were veterans and 10 were non-vet-
Grams. All discharges of laborers in this
department from January 1, 1903, to date
have been at their own request or through
failure to go to work after having reported
and there has been no general reduction of
the laborers gang during that period. From
these figures 1t is very apparent that dur
ing the incumbency of the undersigned as
head of the department of construction and
repair the proportion of veterans in the la
borers' gang has been very materially in
creased, while the number of non-veterans
has been decreased These facts seem to
furnish a sufficient answer to the extraor-
dinary allegations herein contained as to
discrimination against veterans in the
branch of this department under the i'm
mediate supervision of the quarterman in
charge of laborers."
This report of Constructor Capps was for
warded to the Navy Department by Rear
Admiral Rodgers, commandant of the New
York navy yard, with his approval
Acting Secretary Darling regards the re-
port of Constructor Capps as fully dispos-
ing of the charges of discrimination against
veterans at the New York navy yard and
Will forward a copy of that report to Mr.
Jackson without comment