New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-01
DEMOCRATS PLAY PETTY
POLITICS AT NAVY YARD
Two Republicans Of Long Service Ousted by Franklin
Observation-Disclosures Upholds Acknowledgment
Party Aid Barred in Action.

tnought on the SUBJECT brought MN W
the conclusion that it might be best TO
Trofrer this man some SOP for the
treatment ne had been accorded. and he
offered a palliative that looked Ike
rank generosity on the surface. First
he wired 10 the commandant at the
navy yard: Continue James W. Wells
leave without pay until further no
tice."
Tnen. still thinking deeply, he sent
the following letter to Wells:
Subject: Transfer TO Mare Island
yard.
Far Away job Is Sop.
advise the department whether or
not YOU desire transfer to the position
Of master joiner at 81 o. per diem IN
the Hull division. navy yard, Mare Isl
and Vallejo. Cal
You will be furnished railroad
transportation, including Pullman ac-
oommodations. to Vallejo. Cal.
FRANKLIN u. ROOSEVELT
To illuminate the real reasons for
this desire to get Wells out Of the way,
some correspondence from Representa-
tive Daniel j. Griffin, from the I'd
Brooklyn District. comes in well here.
Some time previously an application
for Wells's JOB had been made By David
j. Cormican, an emplOve at the navy
ward. Griffin indorsed his application.
llo wrote this letter to Roosevelt:
David J. COrmican. leading ship
filter applied some time ago formally
to your department, and through me
for the position of assistant supcrIn-
tendent Of repairs outside at the New
York Navy Yard. News of his action
reached the Brooklyn navy yard. and
! understand from a message from my
Office he is about to be or already IS
reduced in the ranks.
Democrat Pleads for Aid.
His superiors are both Republicans.
and his laudable ambition to better
himself perhaps had got him in trouble,
because he desired TO succeed his SUI
perior, a Republican. lie is an en-
rolled Democrat, and has been for
years. and it seems somewhat cruel
that his reduction should come under
Democratic administration. | had an
inkling that he would be denoted, and
the excuse given me was reduction In
forces ncceSsitated the demoton of
Cormican and three others.
"The domotion Of the three others may
or may not be a subterfuge because,
understand. there are charges pending
against the others, whereas Cormican's
record is of the best. He has been in
the yard eighteen years and his con-
duct during that period has been eXem-
plary and his work of a highly efficient
character. On several occasions his
work elected special consideration.
"If men arc to be reduced, why can
not Republicans be singled out, particu-
larly in a Democratic administration?
The strange coincidence OF my friends
reduction. almost Immediately follow
ing hi5 effort to succeed a Republican
boss. by that boss is worth while care
fully investigating. lSigned,l Yours
very truly, DANIEL J. GRIFFIN"
This letter was actually read at a for
NAL meeting Of naval officers at the
Brooklyn yard. although no action was
taken. In reply to queries from Mr..
Roosevelt, the commandant informed
him that reduction in the working force
cited by Griffin was, in all three in
stances. due to the lack of work and
was a matter of regular routine. There
was no grounds for the suspicion that
Wells had hand in the reduction.
Politics Was Used as Club.
Griffin kept after Roosevelt, and
again wrote 10 him. urging that Cor
mican be restored to his Job. and urging
also that Democrats should be given
preferential treatment. A report on this
letter from the commandant stated that
men better qualified than Cormlcan had
been appointed and that there il no in
formation in this division as TO the po-
litical party TO which any of the candi-
dates belong and no consideration is
given to this in recommending appoint
ments.
These letters from Griffin put Mr..
Roosevelt in an embarrassing position.
On the one hand, following the incep-
ton of the plan to get rid of Wells,
there had come 20 him such food of
letters from naval officers, prominent
clcrCymcn and citizens in support of
Wells that he did not dare drop him
withou cause from the department.
On the other hand, there was this
cry of the hungry Democrats for Office
and preferment. II Mr.. Wells had
gracefully consented TO accept the prof
/ fered transfer to California all would
/ have been smooth sailing for the Office
dispenser. But Mr.. Wells had not ac-
cepted this transfer. So in his dilemma
/ Mr.. Roosevelt w:ote this letter to
! Wells:
81 have not heard from you with re-
gard to accepting the position of mas
! ter joiner at the Mare Island Navy
/ Yard. | wish you would expedite your
| decision in the matter, as II is i'm
practicable 10 hold the place open for
/ an indefinite period.
III Used Man Resents Glur.
81 regret to advise you that there is
absolutely no prospect of re-cstabllsh
I ing the position lately held by you at
4 the New York Navy Yard
Mr.. Wells refused this offer. A slur
had been placed upon his honor; he
had been accused Of political activity,
a charge for which the records show
there was no basis. and of whlc,. there
had been no investigation. Here is his
reply:
/ Dear Mr. Roosevelt
am returning herewith letter de'ihag lhc
/ position offered AZ Mare ISLAM. | would not
/ have you think me ungrateiui AMI can ASSURE
| you | deeply appTe-'ae you. consideration. ] an
reluctantly compelled 10 define your hinI oH tt
| monetary consideration haC walled Tor lIt
/ last two weeE' 70 loas from sou iu me nlpT
| that before you finally settled my case you "oh.l
/ ,cT.en, 10 continue me A. the NeV York MAJ
/ Yard / cannot help bu' fee. after having talAti
/ to the two Brooklyn congressman VINO 'teil''
/ most concerned about my removal. maj ms
. tate has been mate in ms cas-. lue 20 STAR
meut, made IS unre>pou.lnle emploJss an "
I 0nportuni;y is offered their statements coull lc
I proved untrue j. seems strange 'HA' are, selnn
/ Ing 10 the satisfaction 81 my ,uprfor' i'r ar
/ these years | should hc discharged without tht'.
} knowledge and no eNnrt made 20 iebH.t iuy ~
/ the place from which ! was recently proh'eu'
aud which has always begI re ,T',IvG4r I ~ 90
} Respectfully yours. JANIS W WILLS
Wells also wrote to President Wilson
stating his case. This brought no re-