The Washington times., 1908-11-28
NAVY YARD WORKERS
PREPARING TO FIGHT
Will Make Appeal to Con
gress TO Prevent Big
Discharge.

Although Acting Secretary OF the
Navy Newberry has made it pl in that
there win be but few discharge at the
Washington Navy Yard, at leas before
April i. the members OF the loci union
have begun preparations TO take their
fight ure to Congress once again before
that time.
Mr.. Newberry made Il plain that while
the department viii retain all the men
L can until the first OF April, tho reten-
ton OF others after that date rests with
the lawmakers on the Hill The labor
leaders, therefore, win get ready TO
fight for a large "bit" In the naval ap-
preparation bill.
Devise Best Defense.
Mr. Newberry's statement, and the
plan Of labor 10 devise its own best de-
Tense. come only as the aftermath of
the order of Admiral L.eutZe. command
ant Of the local yard, whereby the force
would have been reduced January 70 a
peace basis-this order meaning prob
ably the discharge ultimately OF 500 men.
and a consequent loss 70 the District IN
wages Of several thousand dollars
day.
Dir. NewbeFFy, in his statement. said
in part;
IN order 20 postpone as many OF tno
discharges as possible, for as long as
possible. Work will be undertaken at
the Navy Yard which VIII retain until
about March 81 nearly the present force
IN the breech-mechanism shop. gun
shop. cast gun carriage shop, miscel-
Ianeous repair shop, sight shop. and
erecting shop.
Amy discharges between now and
April ! viii be from another shop, and
the intention OF the department Is 10
let just as few men as possible go ia
the interim. AS Tar as can be seens In
order TO get the yard down TO one
shift basis, It viii be necessary event
ually TO discharge about 40 men. That
as far as We can look ahead at this
time. Much viii depend upon the di-
mansions OF the next naval apprOprta-
ton bill
Question Of Naval Policy.
1T should be understood and remem-
bered that the question Of the size Of
the force 70 be retained at the Washing
ton Navy Yard IS a question OF naval
policy. Whether enough work e. to be
allotted 10 the yard TO keep the estab-
AialaAlAE44L running -LIE1 Hl4GAlG a u4y Inc
year round, private gun plants 20 get
what Is left, or whether q normal one
shift force is to be retained at the yard
and the balance OF the work TO be let
under contracts 20 private plants, so
that the Government may have them as
"a certain reserve TO depend upon IN time
OF emergency Is a question Jet 70 be
determined"
Mr. Newberry said that any assertion
that large plants other than the Navy
yard and the AIidvals and Bethlehem
plant. can turn out good "gun-dnishing
work. IS Incorrect
The best Government machiniEts have
been sent to Bethlehem and Miivale for
the Xprss purpOs CT producing first
class finishing work
The Government could fan back on
these plants IN case The local yard IS
destroyed, said Mr.. NeWberry, and,
furthermore, one OF the great Feal rs
for giving some work 70 private plants,
IS that By so doing the inventive genius
of the country, likely TO be found IN
such establishments. gets 10 working
upon Government problems, and many
brilliant inventions, benefiting the
United States, are. therefore. fOrthcom-
ing
Competition between private plants
ana the local yard. said Br Newberry.
also tends 10 keep tbs standards IN both
at the highest point.