The Washington times., 1915-06-27
NAVY YARD MEN MAY
GO TO PENN PLANTS
Employees Hold Mass Meeting
In Southeast to Take Action
on Reduction Of Wages.

At the mass meeting Of the navy YARD
employees this afternoon at Naval Lodge
Hall. action was taken with regard 10
the cut In wages at the yard.
Speakers announced were n. P. Atlas,
president Of, District Lodge, No. A. In
ternational Association Of Machinists;
william H. johnson. Charles F. Ander-
son. George Preston. and A. ]. Beers.
1t was made clear that a large number
Of the machinists will leave the Govern
ment service and take positions with
private concerns In Pennsylvania in
out that there Is demand for expert
machinists. and that wages are much
higher than paid by Uncle Sam.
Alifas Explains Situation.
Mr.. Atlas made the following state
ment regarding the situation:
The original intention on the part Of
the mechanics at the Washington navy
yard was to secure the passage Of a bill
introduced by Representative Buchanan.
a member Of the Naval Affairs Commit
tee. providing a scale Of wages for all
mechanics at the Washington navy
yard. Rather than change the method
of setting wages, the Naval Affairs
Committee recommended to the Navy
Department that an investigation be
made to ascertain the scale Of wages
paid In the vicinity and the cost Of liv
ing at Washington.
The result of the investigation dis
closed that the cost of living In Wash
ington entitled the employees to a 10
per cent increase, and the department
ficient to cover this increase for the
workmen intended to be covered.
.Afterward. when the department ap-
piled this appropriation to all employees
an increase of only Ts per cent. The
/ department. however. decided that In.
dian Head did not come within the pro-
vision of the increase allowed by Con.
gress because the cost of living element
did not enter into 1t as 1t did at Wash
ington. and therefore II could not bs
applied. -
Chairman Padgett Of the naval affair,
| committee, on the appropriation bill
ment bases it's present decision. we con
slider does not in tho least alter thu
sonditions previously existing. II the
| Navy Department had considered thai
| $4,000 was mot sufficient to provide
the increase Of 10 per cent Intended BY
mate and ask for more. and since the,
| did not do this, when II comes to thu
| intent Of Congress being carried out
they are under obligation to provide &
10 per cent increase to employees IN
tended to be covered"
To Continue For Year.
TT will be recalled that about De
cember 81 last the Secretary Of tn
Navy decided to have the then exist
ing wage scales continue for tho yea!
1915. although a largo number Of trade
were entitled to increases in wages.
Since tho department Is valuntaril!
opening UP the wage question. indi
eating that It 10 possible to reduc
wages, officials of labor Organization
are contemplating whether or not thi
would be an opportune time to deman
a general increase in wages at the sev
erA navy yards and arsenals OF tn
United States.
Wages are increasing. especially Il
tho machinists trade. and machlnist
are greatly in demand particularly Il
plants manufacturing munitions of wal
Mon of tho caliber employed at Wash
ington navy yard would be able I
secure not less than IS per day"