New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-01

would accept a transfer 70 the Boston
yard.
The circumstances surrounding THIS
inquiry made its meaning perfectly
plain. Irwin had been in his position
for eighteen years. His position was
one OF great authority over the men
under him. The navy yard was fuIi OF
ships, much work was being done, ana
the position of superintendent might
be used to influence a large NUMBER
Of votes. Again, Twins transfer 10
Boston would be permanent, when IN
volyed moving his entire family, an
expense he was hardly able to bear.
II was thought in a conversation with
some naval officers Mr. Howe revealed
il as his opinion-that before accept
ing such transfer Irwin would resign.
He did nothing of the kind.
Another Victim Appeals.
Instead. like Mr.. Wells, he consulted
his superior officer. This officer i'm
mediately wrote the department that,
owing to the quantity Of work under
way in the yard, Twins services we're
indispensable. and urging that ne be
Kept where he was. Irwin went fur
Their. He consulted the constructor OF
the yard who also wrote the depart
ment in his behalf. and he even inter
viewed the commandant, who immedi.
ately wrote. Then, on the advice Of
friends, Irwin went TO Washington HIM
self.
As it happened, the Assistant Secre-
tary was absent. and so was Mr.. Howe.
After some aio, however, Irwin a;
length was admitted to the Secretary
of The Navy himself. Mr.. Daniels pro-
fessed the g~cato5. surprise at what
Irwin had t. say, and left his Office,
saying he would Immediately return.
When he came back the Secretary said
he had made inquiries, and could as
sure Irwin that he could go back TO
New York i'm peace, that he need have
no fear that his transfer to Boston
would 90 into effect. Irwin went back
TO New York. Almost simultaneously
with his arrival came his orders to
proceed to duty at Boston forthwith.
There we're no facts which could
Justify his transfer on business
grounds. The shops in New York were
running to full capacity. and Irwin,
through his eighteen years experience,
was in absolute control. There was
no work of importance being done at
Boston. Actually, the work to which
Irwin was dSSlEUeN al llt bVckOi -
was the fitting out of a small supply
ship. which could have been done by
anv competent workman of half Of
Twins experience and rating. In the
words of the constructors, all naval
officers. at the New York yard:
"Irwin's transfer. entirely aside from
being utterly without justification, left
the shops for six weeks without re
nh thu rd
was working TO its greatest capacity.
irw.n's successor. though an excellent
man. was entirely inexperienced in the
kind Of work he had to do. He was an
outside man. working on the hulls,
Irwin was an inside man. and an cleo
trician. Moreover. the new man knew
none of his subordinates or where any
thing was. Work had necessarily TO
drift along, subject to interruption and
delay"
A board Of naval officers at the New
York yard is the regular tribunal before
which come all candidates for promo
ton. These promotions are then for
wardcd to Washington for ratification
As a result Of recent examination the
board forwarded list of succ 'ssfuI
candidates 20 Washington, and the Navy
Department sent back the entire list
directing that new examinations should
be held. The specific reason in the
Endorsement rejecting the names was
that in every instance the successful
candidate was a Republican.
No longer can the officers attached tc
the yard hire men as their services are
required. Orders at first came from
Washington that none but Democrats
should be appointed Then, when the
departments attention was directed tC
the fact that appointments were made
from civil service lists, the department
in turn directed that the three name:
heading list from which appointment
must be made should be forwarded L
+ Washington.
The candidates political opinions are
thus gone into there. The department
then indicates to the navy yard what
name is to be placed upon the rolls
In many instances workmen who have
been dismissed for inefficiency have
been rcinstated b. direct orders from
the department.