Evening star., 1922-02-19
CITIZENS TAKE Up
NAVY YARD FIGHT
Adopt Resolutions Urging
Continued Operation or
Months Pay for Laid-0ff.

Resolutions urging that the Wash
Ington and other navy yards be con-
tinued in operation for the manu-
facture of various supplies needed by
the government. and, il this is not
done, that legislation be sought pro-
viding a months extra pay for all
men laid off and a pension for those
near the retirement age, were adopted
unanimously last night at a meeting
of the Anacostia Citizens Association
and Board of Trade in the Masonic
The motions were adopted follow
ing an address by Representative
Harry T.. Hull of Iowa, in which the
Navy department was severely ar
raiSned Tor its drastic action. taken
without previous notice, and explain
ing proposed amendments, which
would allow navy yards and other
federal plants to compete with privs1a
manufacturers for government supply
contracts.
Can Manufacture Supplies.
One of the resolutions, introduced
by DR.. George c. Havenner. pointed
out that the governments industrial
plants and yards are equipped with
machinery well fitted TO the manu-
SuDDl.eS,
urged upon "the President. the Secre
tary of the Navy and the Congress"
the advisability of allowing these
federal establishments to bid on work
required by other branches Of the
federal service. The Secretary Of the
Navy was also petitioned to have all
work incident to the naval scrapping
program done in the yards and plants
belonging to the naval establishment.
A second resolution introduced by
DR.. Havenner will ask Congress TO
enact a law that will permit Sec
retary Denby to pay one full months
salary to each man that has been, or
who may hereafter be, laid of as "A
result Of the suspension OF work on
capital ships of the Navy. A third mo
ton proposed enactment OF q law
retiring the men of long service who
have been laid Off
Trying to Prevent situation.
Representative Hull pointed out
that for three years he has been en-
deavoring to prevent such a situation
in the navy yards and arsenals as
now exists. He has sought to have
legislation effected which permits the
government plants to bid for govern
inent supply contracts. Due to a rul-
ing which prevents the government
bureaus from paying out current fis-
cal appropriations the following year
TO other federal branches, the navy
al Us nave bteN smut out Is com pei
itors for this work, he said.
Scores Action ON Leviathan.
Charges that the bureaus and depa rt-
ments are not cooperating with Con-
gress and in some cases are deliberately
reversing the wishes of Congress by
/! manipulating or evading the laws We're
! made by the representative. He init
mated that the policy of giving con-
tracts for government projects 10
private concerns was due to influence
brought to bear by private interests
He criticized. in this connection, the
Shipping Board for giving the Levia-
than repairs contract to a private cor
porauon instead of the Boston navy
yard. which could have saved the gov
vernnlent. he declared, about S.. 600 900
Mr.. Hull said he favored a scientific,
| industrial preparedness program" which
would not only find the United States
ready for any war emergency, but would
furnish work to all the navy yards. H.
said that there was q. moral obligation
on the part of the government TO taxi
care of the furloughed employees in soms
| financial way, just as discharged Wal
workers were given car fare to theii
home states and service men were givei
two months extra pay on nnusterine
out
William J. Latimer, president of til.
association, presided.