The Washington times., 1908-04-01
Secretary Metcalf May
Have to Explain to Con-
gress the Furlough-
ing" of Men.
Labor Leaders and Com
mittee Members Said
to Be Indignant at
Action.

Secretary Of the Navy Victor H Met
calf may be called upon by Congress
10 explain why 200 men were discharged
from the Washington Navy Yard after
he had distinctly stated 20 the House
Committee on Appropriations that there
would be no discharges If Congress
granted his request for an emergency
appropriation OF 100000
This predicament in which the Secre-
tary finds himself is due 10 his change
OF mind regarding the disposition OF the
money at the very last moment
Certain members OF the House Com
mittee on Appropriations and Labor
leaders in washington are said % be
indignant because OF the methods EN-
pioyed by Secretary Of the Navy Met
calf in securing the appropriation.
Had Committees Support.
The labor leaders charge that the Sec
retarv. by pleading the cause OF the
employees Of the yard, many Of whom
we're supposed 10 be marked for dis
charge because ot 2 lack of funds. en-
listed the sympathy and support OF the
committee
The emergency appropriation bin had
scarcely been favorably reported upon
when Assistant Secretary Newberry was
instructed 10 get into touch with the
Navy Yard officials for the purpose of
deciding upon a curtailment Of expenses
there After AIR. Newberry had been
Informed OF the situation there he or
dered the discharge Of 200 men.
Il now develops that when Mr. MetCaf
appeared before the House committee
and was asked If the passage Of the 81
00Q.000 emergency appropriation would
discharge
Navy Yard employees he replied that II
would With that understanding the
Appropriations Committee made IA
vorable report on the bill and Chairman
Tawney went on the floor OF the House
and urged SIS passage
MetcaIf Alarmed.
Favorable Senate action on the bill
was the result OF the statements made
10 the House committee. although there
are indications that Mr.. Metcaif be-
came alarmed at the position in which
lie found himself.
On the day upon which the Senate
committee voted on the bill. Mr.. Metcalf
sent a letter to the chairman of the
committee. in which he explained that
he could not make good his promise to
keep the men employed at the yard He
further explained that the money
would be used 10 pay outstanding bills
long overdue and for new outlays for
armor and armament. This letter Old
not reach the Capitol until after the
Senate had passed the bin.
In addition 10 the above facts Il
has been learned that a copy Of his
statements was submitted TO Secretary
MetCaIf by the Public Printer in the
record Of the committee hearing now
on file there is no reference 10 any
promise made by the Secretary that the
interests Of the navy yard men would
Be protected and that they would not
be discharged.
Ask About Discharges.
At the Navy Department today Roy
Il. Moses. private secretary 10 Mr..
Metcaif. admitted that the House Com
mite on Appropriations asked the Sec
retary II the men would be kept en-
ployed at the Washington navy yard
II Congress passed the bin asked for
What reply did Mr.. Metcalf make?''
Air. Moses was asked
He answered that there would be
no discharges, he replied
How do you account then, for the
discharge Of 20 machinists almost i'm
mediately after Congress had reported
fcvorably on the S2.OO0. 600 bin. which vir-
tually guaranteed them wOrk2"
Because there is very little work TO
be done al the navy yard at the pres
ent time. AS a matter OF fact il did not
upTtdI at Nflt time uT. MtkCdlI dp-
reared before the committee that the
ciEcharges were imminent. Mr.. New
berry had been handling that matter
and had been in frequent consultation
with the navy yard officials. But I can
say that if Congress had not passed the
bin tie number OK discharges would
have been much greater. At the time
We asked for the money the big private
steel plants were asking for money for
the work they had done and were do
inr and we had only $4,000 of the
Si1GNOO0 appropria ton left Il was
simply a question Of whether the pri-
e-ate concerns would be PAID or large
number of men discharged. If we had
hcld up the bills OF he manufacturers
There would be an accumulation of in
tercst. which would have been costly"
Didn't Know of Changes.
Mr.. Moses was asked ST he had any
knowledge of the changes supposed TO
lave ben made by Secretary Metcalf In
TIC typewritten copy of the House Com
miJtee hearing. He replied that he had
rot
la addition to the members OF the
House Appropriations Committee who
ici that they were led TO believe that
JEcy were protecting the navy yard en-
J 05cs when they voted for the bill.
there are several Democratic members
o. the House who are determined TO
ret at the bottom of the matter One
o. these declared that If Mr. AIetcalf
Cicchsireed 200 machinists. after he had
Eivea his assurance that there would
llo no discharges ne purposed to have
the Secretary OF the Navy make an ex-
Ilanation.
Owing to the fact that when the bill
reacheTd the Senate IL was passed With
an amendment calling for an additional
appropriation OF s50,000 to be applied 70
mileage for officers and for contract
surgeons. the measure has now gone 10
conference. and is final passage NAV Da
held up until Mr.. Metcalf elea- the at
mospnere