The Washington times., 1922-02-10
DENNY To
SEE NAVY
WORKERS
compers Arranges Conference
on Drastic Payroll Slash.
Administration AssaiIed.

President Gompers, mead OF the
American Federation Of Labor, to-
day notified officials of the Inter-
national Association of Machinists
that a conference between Machin-
lists representatives and Secretary
Of the Navy DENLY had been ar
ranged for next Wednesday morn
ing, when the drastic and sudden
reductions Of the Navy Yard force
would be discussed and means for
unemployment of the ], $50 released
from the Washington Navy Yard
yesterday would be sought.
Little Optimism.
Officials of the association were
not optimistic this morning in their
discussion Of the coming conference.
They expressed the opinion that
Secretary DENLY was but a mere
cog in the machinery of an Admin
tstration which had assayed to
make grandstand play" with
fDont page economy which in reality
was false economy"
In the meantime Washington mer-
chants and civic organizations were
being encouraged to toinu in the
plea to readjust contract methods
to provide continued employment
for machinists who have given
years of faithful service at the
Washington navy yard. Officials
point to the deplorable lack Of warn
ing of action ordered by the depart
ment yesterday and are careful to
stress the inevitable consequence
to Washington business houses
when the $4,000 weekly cut in the
purchasing power Of the community
begins to be felt.
More Cuts Rumored.
Rumors of additional cuts in the
ordnance department were plenti-
full today, though Colonel Bricker,
in charge of personnel in the Of
flee Of the chief of ordnance, said
there were no present indications
of any action similar to that taken
at the Navy Yard yesterday.
There will be slight reductions
from now until July, but they will
almost amount to individual separa.
tons, such as are common as the
department approaches the end of
the fiscal year. We undoubtedly
will not get as large an appro-
priation this year and that may
bring cuts after June 40, said
Colonel Bricker.
Relief for the Navy Yard men
released yesterday was not appar-
ent today should the coming con-
ference with Secretary DENLY fail
1t was said by officials that the
case would probably be taken to
the President IL this conference
was not successful in promising
at least temporary employment.
The local branch of the Machin-
lists organization, though financially
capable of withstanding ordinary
drains through sickness of its mem
bers, was declared not in a condition
to provide for families which will
undoubtedly need help unless
changed contract methods offer aid.
Ask Supply Contracts.
The one way out. officials declare,
Is for the Government to award its
contracts for peace-time Government
supplies to Government navy yards
capable Of turning out materials
more cheaply than private manufac.
turing firms. Such manufacturers
could include post office supplies,
departmental machines and repair
work, and dredging now conducted
by the Reclamation Service, officials
said.
The local building situation offers
no escape through absorption in
Washington's construction opera
tions. Robert Livingston, head of
the local office of the United States
Department of Labor Employment
Service, reported today that within
the past three weeks the office has
received 1,447 applications for un-
skilled labor jobs which remain un.
filled. Positions for $50 skilled ma
chinists, former workers of the
Washington Steel and Ordnance
Company and the navy yard. re-
leased in previous reductions, are
being sought by the service. With
the addition of 1880 machinists re.
leased from the navy yard yesterday
the city now has more than 100
machinists without work.
Building at present Is very dull"
Livingston reports, land there ap-
pears little likelihood Of Improvement
before late March or early April
Ordinarily Baltimore would be a good
market for machinist labor, but Bal
timore Is now also dull, and there
Is no city to which we can advise
men to CO."
To the hundreds OF men who will
be forced to seek other employment
during their "furlough" from the
Navy Yard, union officials were
similarly without suggestion. The
trade is suffering greatly in all parts
Of the country, It was said and ad.
vice to those with sufficient funds
10 carry them over the slack period
was to "sit tight" pending efforts by
the association and not waste money
roaming in search of work.
William II. Johnston, president of
the International Association, de
declared he would carr his protest to
the White House,
Sixteen thousand machin SITS in
Government yards will be affected
by the order of the Secretary of the
Navy and, alphabetically, 1t will uf.
feet $4,000 workers in other trades,
and ultimately initiate against the
well-being of more than a hundred
thousand workmen engaged In pri.
vate plans, Johnston declared.
Without word of warning, with.
out material or sentimental care for
its loyal workmen, the Governm mt
has swept into the growing army Of
the unemployed thousands of honest
workers" Johnston said.