The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-03-01
DENLY READY
TO CLOSE THE
NAVY YARDS
Tells Mr.. Gompers Competing
With Private Yards Would
Not Help Employment
Problem


sion of navy yards into Industrial
plants for the purpose OF obtaining
contracts from other government
denratments could be accomplished
only ut the expense OF privately
owned factories. and, therefore,
would not be OF value to the unem-
ployed, Secretary DENLY declared
tonight in q letter answering suS-
seStions laid before him recently
by Samuel Gompers, president or
the American Federation of Labor.
as head OF q delegation represent
ing "furloughed' navy yard en-
ployeS. Several thousands OF these
employees We're given leave without
pay as q consequence OF the nara
agreements reached ar the Wash
ingIOn arms conference.
1T is difficult TO see, Secretary
DENLY said. how the national nn-
employment situation will be in
any way alleviated even ii ii Is
found feasible with Industrial
plants on the outside. AS 70 this l
have very serious doubt. for l know
OF no Industrial plant in private
life where such hberality is shown
employees. thereby increasing the
overhead. as in the navy yards OF
the United StareS.
Moreover, the secretary contin-
ued, he doubted very much the wis
dom OF .artiiiciallH Keeping up
navy yards. some Of which must
inevitably be closed. at the expense.
OF private wards. thereby, perhaps
causing the destruction Of the lat
ter" When the navy yards are not
REQUIRED TO maintain the fleet, he
said, they should be abandoned
Or leased to private concerns who
may find employment for them. !"
4 delegation headed by Mr..
Compcrs submitted 4 prosram COM
prising fifteen proposals designed
To relieve the situation of The Men
thrown out OF work. Secretary
Denby took up the suggestions in
order. explaining IN most cases that
the department did not have the
appropriations necessary TO under
lake them or lacked authority.
Mr.. Gompers' proposal that pre-
paratory steps be taken ut once
looking TO the scrapping or dis
mantling Of naval craft which ar.
10 be eliminated under the new ma
val treaty cannot be adopted. Mr.
Denby said. since this work viii
not be undertaken until ratitica
tions have been exchanged by the
interested powers Even then, the
secretary said. it would require
IN act OF congress to actually ac-
complish the scrappins OF The.
ships" the place and methods Of
the destruction remaining en,irlcy
within the authority OF the lesisla-
tive branch OF he government.
Work is under way al present
upon every vessel authorized by
congress for which appropriation
has been made. Secretary DENLY
said in reply 10 tne suggestion that
construction hr started at once on
such vessels as Ill is deemed ad-
viS;,blc 10 build 1t would be idl-
Mr.. Dcnby declared. 10 set up the
proposed employment clearing
house in IN" navy department, 10
provide the navy yard employees
With other positions when ihrr,
lS no work
The naval secretary expressed
his sympathy for those affected by
The reduction OF activity in navy
Yards. hut declared that it ,xaS not
within his power TO continue, in
needless employment those " no are
paid from trust fund :,;! mint
tered by the navy department