The Washington times., 1906-07-29
Jubilant Over the Retention
of Present Hour
System.
COLUMBIA LODGE WORK
Representative of International Asso-
citation of Machinists Discusses
Lines on Which Victory
Was Achieved.

There is great rejoicing al the WASH
ington navy yard. The machinIsts and
other workmen in that great workshop
of the government have won a signal
victory.
After weeks Of tense suspense on the
part Of the machinists and other en-
ployes. who opposed the proposed work
ing system with every known weapon
of diplomacy. argument and eloquence.
Acting Secretary Of the Navy Newberry
has decided that there shall be no
change from the present system of work
in the navy yard.
He dlsapproved the proposition sub
mitted by Captain Leutze. commandment
of the yard. TO submit a system Of prem
ium schedules, or piecework, for the
hour system so long in vogue.
This matter has been under consider
alton for a long time and passed through
the regular routine OF red tape, finally
reaching the acting secretary.
Columbia Lodge Leads Fight.
Columbia Lodge No. ia International
Association of Machinists. with a mem
bership of ! 600 out OF total of 1900 en-
p!Oyed In the Washington yard-there
are 1900 employees in the yard all told
took up the matter as soon as the prop
osition Of Captain Leutze became known.
a committee composed Of f. L. Tuck
e., chairman; William +. Brown, r. II.
Cowan. F. C. Eppley. B. F. Gilmore. J.
J. Membert and z. l. King. was APP
pointed 10 represent the machlnists IN
negotiations before the Navy Depart
ment
When the proposition reached the act
ing secretary this committee asked for
an audience in order that they might
present their arguments against the
change. They We're given a hearing, but
Acting Secretary Newberry would not
indicate whether or not 1t was his pur-
pose to consider the matter finally or
hold IL over for the consideration Of Sec
rotary Bonaparte.
At the outset OF the conferences the
Acting Secretary told the navy yard
employees that the contemplated change
had been placed under consideration
for the mutual benefit OF Government
and men. At the conclusion of the con-
ference, when the Acting Secretary de-
cided 10 disapprove the proposition, he
stated tl.dt his decision had been made
upon the almost unanimous opposition
of the men.
Arguments for Hour System.
+. G. Eppley. f. L. Kirby. and Z. L,
Adams. representing the international
Association of Machinists. appeared be-
fore the Secretary in opposition 10 the
change. Mr., Adams acting in the ca
paCity OF spokesman. He presented the
maChinists position in an able manner.
He contended that the premium system
would encourage task work bring
about favoritism, and be productive Of
many evils demoraliZing 10 the force
and at the same time working a great
injustice. He said experience had taught
that the premium. or pieCe-work sys-|
TEN would result 10 the detriment Of
Government and men alike. and could
not be compared in any way with the
satisfactory results. obtained by long
experience. from the hour system under
which the men now work.
He was positive in his assertions that
more work. better results. and at ii
comparatively smaller outlay would re-
suit from the present system. with more
general satisfaction, than would obtain
under the change proposed.
a
This premium system is another name
FOR piece-work. a relic of other days.
when the .sweatshOp was in favor and
the welfare OF worHngmen was not con-
sidered
The inauguration of this system
. would in my opinion" said Mr.. Adams.
bring about revolution among skilled
labor. more disastrous in its effect than
u
sible exception OF the disbandment of
every body of organized labor in the
country. We viewed with the deepest
concern this plan 10 change our system
of work as one in direct conflict with
every fundamental principle on which
the structure OF organized labor is
builded.
I'VE felt certain that tie most skilled
men in our trade woa-d have been
driven out Of the Government service by
this plan.
Expert Report to Morton.
in 1905 Paul Morton. then Secretary
Of the Navy. secured the services Of s.
T. Nelson. an expert engineer. 20 visit
the Washington navy yard and examine
il in every detail. 20 determine and re-
port II, in his opinion. the yard was
practical commercial plant and If il
was productive Of as satisfactory results
as similar large industrial concerns con-
Quoted upon the sTictest business pTin-
ciples. politics eliminated,
Mr. Nelson went through the yard,
making careful Investigations into every
department. accompanied by a stenogra-
pher. The result of that visit was a
volumlnous typewriter reporo. only one
copy Of fl being made. which was filed
with Secretary Morton.
1T was never made public in part or
whole. but It is positively known that
the report was more than favorable TO
the mana cement Of the Washington
yard.
In that report the matter OF premium
work was treated and we are of the
opinion that il was from that suggestion
Of Mr.. Nelson that the recent proposed
change Of working system originated
We always felt that the Navy Depart
ment did not treat US exactly fair in
Withholding this report from the public.
as we knew II was favorable 10 the local
yard and the men employed there
"The final settlement of this question
by Acting Secretary Newberry is high