The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-14

Formal protest viii be made this morn
ing to the Navy Department by q com
nittee OF New York electrical workers
against the alleged unlawful. unjust, and
extrayagant allotment Of work on battle
ships and other ships OF the United
States navy at the Brooklyn navy yard
10 plumbers, machinists. unskilled labor
and others not trained in electrical con-
struction.
The committee that VIII make the pro
test at Il o'clock arrived in the city last
night. II consists OF Matthew J. Horo-
han. organizer Of District Council No. Il.
international Brotherhood OF Electrical
Workers. and W. J. Jobson and c. Nd.
MoAndrews. members OF the New York
organization. the large percentage OF
whose membership is employed in the
Brooklyn Navy Yard. The committee is
stopping at the National Hotel. and has
arranged an appointment with Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Winthrop.
Their Appeals Ignored.
The trouble this committee comes 20
Washington 70 correct has, members OF
the committee say. been operative for
some time. Notwithstanding protests
have been made TO officials Of the Brook
lyn Navy Yard. who have ignored the
appeals. Last week the electrical work
ers' unions Of New York and Brooklyn,
through representatives. determined to
bring the matter 10 a test and present
the protest Of the electricians 10 the
Navy Department direct
II the committee fails TO obtain a cor
rection Of the alleged practices in the
Brooklyn yard. they VIII take the matter
up with the New York delegation in
Congress and attempt to bring about an
investigation by Congress. Conditions that
apply 10 that yard. also. the committee
says, are equally obnoxious in the other
navy yards Of the country.
We are in Washington" said Chair
man Horohan. OF the New York com
mittee, Ito see If It IS possible, through
the Navy Department, TO correct an in
justice that IS being shown the electrical
workers in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
which has been in force for a long time.
We have protested to the managers OF
that yard without result, and we are here
20 tell the Navy Department officials of
these conditions. What We object TO as
unjust and an exTavagant waste of
money IS the giving OF work 10 trades
men in no way trained TO do the work or
connected with the electrical workers
branch OF the service in the construction
Of electrical wiring and installation OF
apparatus on the big battle ships and
other ships Of tbs navy.
JnSICiIIsd Labor Used.
Much Of thiswork has gone TO plumbers.
machinists. and unskilled labor. who have
no practical knowledge Of the work. thus
depriving the electricians Of that which
rightly belongs to them. When these
men undertake 10 do this work, il IS not
done in accordance with standards estab-
lished by the Navy Department, and, as a
result. it has 10 be torn out, as 1t will not
pass inspection. There is great loss to
the government. We have to DO their
work over.
I do not believe the Navy Department
is cognizant Of these conditions, and when
advised 7 think steps will be taken TO
give the electricians Justice If we can
not obtain recognition and an early ad-
tustment We are prepared TO have the
New York delegation in Congress bring
the matter to the attention Of the coGntry
through an investigation. have been in
consultation with three of the New York
delegation, who have assured US that II
the Navy Department viii not correct
conditions. they VIII bring the matter be-
fore the House"