The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1912-11-21
GOVERNMENT POSITIONS.
Civil Service.

preston that Civil Service positions
in the U. S. Government are perma
nent ones, however We have seen such
rot to be the case, especially so at the
Naval Station.
When the Navy Dock first came in
November, 1901, and thereafter, a.
| improvements were made, several good
positions were created and every one
Wed with each other in taking the eX
aminations, trying to secure the posi-
tons; many resigning from good
places in order to do so.
The following are some of the posi-
lions which were obtained through
competitive examinations, and ap.
peared a few years ago to be perma
nent, viz, Dockmaster, Master Machin
list, Machinist in charge, Chief Electri-
clan, Special Mechanic, Foreman La.
borer, two clerks to Commandant, one
clerk to each department, Construction,
Steam Engineering, Yards and Docks,
General Storekeeper, and for Paymas-
ter, also Timekeeper, one Craftsman
each for c. and R. and s. E., also an
electrical draftsman, and several arch
itectural craftsmen for Y. and D., be-
sides six watchmen for the Naval Dock
and yard.
Now in addition to the above men
toned positions, there were mechan-
les and helpers of all branches, also
laborers, special foremen and clerks
employed there, and now the force has
been so reduced, that there is only
one clerk, and six watchmen who are
the only Civil Service men left. In
the Construction Department, there
are one shipwright, two carpenters,
four machintsts, four firemen, one rig
ger, one painter, two helpers, and a few
extra painters and helpers, working on
the dock, and two helpers for S. E., be-
sides five colored helpers around the
Station. There is no Civil Service
Foreman in charge of any of the De-
partments or Dock. There being more
employees now than there were when
the dock first arrived, and yet the gov
eminent then deemed it proper to
have a Dockmaster and Machinist-in-
charge, to take care of the dock struc-
ture and machinery. Then there was
also a Captain of the Navy, as Com
mandant, besides a Carpenter U. s. ~,
and a Civil Engineer U. S. N; now
there is Carpenter, U. S. ~, as Custo-
dian, who performs duty as Dockmas-
ter, Civil Engineer, Construction Off
Ger and Engineer Officer. One of the
employed carpenters is doing the duty
of Dockmaster, which was previously
done by Mr.. Tracy Lilly, and one of
the machinists is performing the duty
of Notwithstanding, which was pre-
viously done by Mr.. A. ]. Haaser, and
later by Mr.. Adam Hammer.
Therefore, the injustice can be seen,
that the Navy Department has been
gradually doing away with the i'm
portant positions regardless or Civil
Service Rules; the last position was
made vacant by Master Machinist, A.
Haaser being discharged during last
week; the letter received from the Sec
rotary of the Navy stated that, owing
to the present condition of the work
at the New Orleans Naval Station, his
services were no longer required. Now
there is machinery in the two shops,
on the dock, in the yard and at the
coaling plant, to the value of over one
million dollars, also the handling and
care of the large dock, which in the be-
ginning was found necessary to have
two civil service men, is now run with
ordinary mechanics and helpers, dis
regarding the rules of the Civil Service
Commission.
Can there be any encouragement for
mechanics and others to seek govern.
ment situations, when their positions
are so uncertain, such as has been at
the New Orleans Mint, and the Naval
Station.