Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-28
Civil Service Commission on
Taylor's Appointment.
CAUSE OF THE STRIKE
BRICKLAYERS UNION TO HOLD
MEETING TONIGHT.
Capt. Sewell's Letter to Their Attorney
To Investigate Per Diem En-
ployes-Work is Going On.

The civil service commission today reach
ed a decision in the case of John w. Tay-
lor, the negro non-union bricklayer, whose
employment at Washington barracks re-
suited in the strike of twenty-eight union
bricklayers several days ago.
1t Is the view of the commission that
Taylor's employment during the period
from July Is to July Is should be allowed
to stand. and the commission sees no OBJ
lection to payment for his services during
that period being authorized from govern
ment funds.
The question as to whether Taylor will
or will not receive pay for this period will
be settled by the auditor for the War De-
partment when the question reaches him.
The Facts in the Case
The facts in the case are stated in a let
ter of the chairman of the central civil
service board. dated July 81. from which it
appears that Taylor's employment from
July II to July Is was improper. THE
payment for his services during that
period" states the letter. will not be au-
thoriZed from government funds"
This seems to answer the complaint and
1t is accordingly recommended that a copy
of the letter of the central board referred to
be sent to Mr., Smith attorney for the
bricklayers' union). and that he be advised
that the commission sees no occasion to
take further action in the matter"
1t Is added however, that 1.-The refusal
to pay Taylor for his services for the
period mentioned is not just or right in
point of law" The board states that the
error in his appointment is that of a clerk
in sending out the notice. and was an in
advertence. not an intentional violation of
the regulations. and that Taylor himself
was in no way responsible
THE period of eligibility is not fixed by
law but merely by rule and is not funda-
mental In character" The term of one
year may be extended in the discretion Of
the commission when the conditions Of good
administra ton render 1t inexpedient to hold
a new examination.
Bricklayers' Meeting Tonight.
The bricklayers' union. at its meeting to-
night, will thoroughly ventilate the matter
of Taylor's employment. The basis of their
attack on the civil service commission
manner of appointing per diem employees
will be letter received by Mr. F. 9. Key
Smith. attorney for their union, from Capt
John Stephen Sewell. in charge of the con-
struction work al Washington barracks, In
which the claim will be made that Capt.
Sewell admits Taylor's appointment was
clearly Illegal. Capt. Sewells letter fol-
lows:
IN reply. 1 have to inform you that the
defect in Taylors standing was discovered
by this office. but not until after all the
trouble had occurred and the men them
selves had deliberately raised the question
of union or non-union. AS soon as Taylor
learned of the technicaity against him, he
Immediately re-reSistered, 50 that he Is
now qualified.
whether the technical defect in his
standing at the time he was appointed re-
quires me to suspend him at this time Is
one which / not competent to deter
mine, but the matter is under consideration.
What the result will be l am unable to say,
but. in any case, the question of union or
non-union on government work has got TO
be settled without any evasion of the issue
some day. II the unions are able to estab-
lish their position that a non-union man
cannot work with them on government
work, then day labor on the part of the
United States government Is forever at an
end
AT our union meeting tonight, said one
of the officers OF the bricklayers' organiza-
tion today. 1T will be shown that the civil
service commission has played fast and
loose in the appointment of per diem en-
ployes
1t is also the intention of the brcklayers
to have, IL possible. a committee appointed
at the meeting tonight to investigate every
appointment of a per diem employe made
during the past year by the commission. to
see If there has been any such irregularities
as that in the Taylor case.
Hot shot will be thrown into the civil
service camp" said member of the union.
land the matter will eventually find it's
way to President Roosevelt We are load
ed for bar this time
Twenty-Five non-uniOn brickayers were
at work at Washington barracks today, a
majority of them being colored men.
Taylor Will Be Kept at Work.
In view of the decision of the civil service
commission. 1t was stated at the Washing
ton barracks late this afternoon that Tay
lor would be kent at work unless he gave
cause for his dismissal.
Captain Sewell said he hoped the Brick
layers Union at its meeting tonight would
decide that the strikers should return to
work before August l, when the present
force will become permanent.