Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-24
Appeal to Be Made for Navy
Yard Employees.
WORK NAY BE PROVIDED
Chamber of Commerce and Machin'
lists Union to Urge Legislation.
ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT
Acting Secretary Newberry Says
Only Minimum Work Has Been
Awarded to Private Concerns.

An appeal to Congress seems to be the
only plan now open to prevent the dis
charge of several hundred employees or
the navy yard after New Year day. in ac
cordance with the order posted yesterday
around the gun factory.
This is the decision Of those interested
and affected by the order. And it is ex-
pected this step will be considered by
the Chamber of Commerce, the local
lodge of the International Association OF
Machinists and other interested organiza-
tions.
From the statements given out by Ad-
mral E. H. c. Leutze. commandant OF
the yard, and by Truman H. Newberry,
acting Secretary of the Navy, it is pointed
out that the allotments for the manufac-
ture of guns and other similar supplies
have been given to outside concerns and
cannot be recalled.
The amount of the work to be done Is
fixed by the appropriations of Congress
and cannot be increased to provide addi-
tional work for navy yard employees.
and the Navy Department declared the
navy yard has received its full share or
the work.
The only relief, it is therefore believed,
Is to be obtained from Congress by some
enactment which will provide work to
keep the present force busy.
This step, 1t is expected, will be consld-
cred by the legislative committee OF the
Chamber Of Commerce at an early date.
The committee on manufactures recently
investigated the matter thoroughly in an
swer to an appeal by the local branch OF
the machinistS union. and adopted strong
resolutions asking the officials in author
ity to keep sufficient work in Washington
to prevent discharge of several hundred
men. 1t is expected the information they
obtained will be turned over to the legis-
lative committee for it's guidance.
The executive committee of the ma
chinsts' union will meet tonight to con-
slider plan of action to be submitted to
the union a a meeting tomorrow night.
Emmett l.. Adams, president OF Dis
trict Lodge II, called at the offices of the
asked the cooperation Of that body, and
was assured that it would take any steps
1t could to prevent the wholesale dis
charge It is expected that the machinists
will seek assistance in asking relief from
Congress.
Order That Causes Alarm.
The notice, signed by Commandant
Leutze. which caused the surprise is as
| follows:
1.-The commandant regrets to announce
that it will be necessary to discharge
number of employees of the gun factory In
the near future for the following reason:
I'm May last it became apparent that
the total number of mechanics then en-
plOyed in the gun factory could not pos
sibly be retained for a much longer period
of time.
1.-The situation was then carefully gone
over, and 1t was found that there was
enough work ahead in sight. and enough
could be allotted to this establishment, to
keep the then existing force employed for
| about eight months longer. provided that
there would be a natural dropping out OF
| about twenty-five employees per month,
which estimated waste was based upon
former experiences and that at the eX-
piration of the eight months the force
and 240O. which is considered, as far as
can now be foreseen. about normal force
under peace conditions.
"The Navy Department was informed
to this effect, and the department, in its
turn. l am informed notified Congress.
THE gradual decrease of about p
per month has not taken place, as only
SO employees have served their 'connec-
ton with this factory up to date, in
stead of 1850; consequently even
greater reduction than the original
number will be necessary.
The eight months mentioned above
expire during next January. 1t will,
therefore, become necessary to begin
to discharge about January /. 1909,
when the services of between 200 and
800 mechanics will have to be dispensed
with.
THE discharges will. generally speak
ing. be made from the trade of ma
chinist and helpers and employees of
the foundry and of the forge shop.
This notice is given at this time in
order that any employees having pros
pect of employment elsewhere may
take advantage of all opportunities Of
fered."