The Washington herald., 1909-04-01


One hundred and forty mschinists Of the
Washington Navy Yard viii be discharged
this morning.
The list has already oeen made out. and
when the men report for duty they win
be informed that their services are no
longer needed. No reason for the dis
charge viii bc given on the little slip
OF paper containing the disagreeable
news, but each man viii know that he is
heing dropped from Cncle Sans payroll
because Of back Of work at the yard.
Last night Rear Admiral f. II. C.
Leutze. .commandant Of the yard. let it
he known that the men would be dropped
to-day It could not be learned definitely
whether more discharges are 10 follow.
but the general impression is that the
number win he considerably increased
within the next month or two
The men who are TO he discharged have
received no notice that they win he let
out but the action taken has been ex-
pected for months. Many Of the men
have families 10 support, and it win be
difficult e not impossible. for them to
find other work az their trade IN or near
Washington. Most OF them will have to
seek employment either in other lines OF
work or IN other localities.
Men Saw Action Coming.
Up 10 a late hour last night the men
knew nothing definite Of what was to
happen. but all were certain that as II
was the end Of the month and also the
end Of the first quarter Of the wear. dis
charges would await many of them as
they reported for work this morning. The
apprehension among the ~inists
caused rumcrs that anywhere q.
$40 men would be dropped NJ .s-
10 the unfortunate ones wo,.e ..
uncertainty began 10
YES of the most sturdy em
-ive hundred machlnists.
umbia Lodge. No IA.
citation Of Machiuists. gat1rea
at Naval Lodge Hall, whore o.
hind locked doors was held Moth
.,is uruaite could be learned as TO what
occurred. but IL Is understood the men
discussed what action should be taken In
regard 10 the discharges they knew were
10 he made
The most significant intimation they
had received was that many OF them had
been asked in the last few DAYS 10 take
the portion Of annual leave Que 1nem
The machiuists have fifteen days- leave
each year. and no man is discharged
with any time of due him. ID 10 the
end of March each man WAS entitled 10
three and three-quarter DAYS. and many
Of those who had not taken this amount
had been ordered 10 do so i'm the last
week
For time the men seemed TO think
the wholesale order 10 use up their leave
was an effort on the part Of the officers
OF the yard 10 cut down the force tenn
porarily in anticipation Of more work i'm
the near future But at the lodge meet
ing it vas apparent that IL had at last
daWned upon the men that this action
Of the officials was merely preliminary 10
handing them their discharge papers on
the FIRST Of the month.
Through Trying Ordeal.
The uncertainty as TO whether their
positions were 10 be permanent has been
most trying. especially to those who have
families Last night many were heard to
say that whatever was 10 happen this
morning they were glad the suspense was
over, and that the matter would bc 6e-
cided one way OF another Yet even
those who are not discharged Will stm
have the apprehension that their names
may ne on the next Est. which will p-ob-
ably be made out in the near future
For months ever since the possibility
OF numerous discharges was realized the
men have made a gallant fight TO retain
their positions. knowing that their great
est hope lay IN concerted action they
have perfected their organization. and
every step taken has been either as a
body or through regular accredited
agents. Committees representing the men
nave called many times at the Navy De-
partment. and have hello audiences with
the members Of the Committee on Naval
Affairs Of the House of Representatives.
The assistance of other bodies Of or
ganized workingmen and OF the National
association of Machinists has been asked
for and cheerfully given.
Summoned TO Washington.
Prominent labor leaders from other
cities have been summoned TO Washing
ton by telegraph to use their influence
with members Of Congress. the NAVY De-
partment officials, and others who might
have any weight in averting the die
charges. Every machinist who is nor =
resident OF the District was urged 10 in
tercede with his Member OF Congress
and there is hardly a Representative in
the House who has not at some time
within the last few months been re-
quested, either by personal interview or
by letter, 10 use his influence toward see
ing that the men Of the yard retained
employment.
Even the employees of other navy Yards
Of the country came TO the aid of the
Washington men. In the Boston NAVY
Yard resolutions recommending the eree-
tion Of a foundry In the DistriOf were
passed and forwarded TO the NIassachu-
setts Representatives Ia Congress. ury-
ing them 20 act in the matter
The contest is not yet over, even though
TAO men are to be dropped The machIn-
Continued ON Page =, Column 2.
Flowers OF Commanding beauty.