Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-29
BATTLESH|P WORK
MIGHT RETAIN 800
IN NAVY YARD Jobs
Modernization Program for
Three Warships Urged as
Employment Aid.
CONGRESS is BELIEVED
TO HAVE TIME TO ACT
Several Thousand Others in Gov
eminent Tasks Would Benefit
by Legislation.

Immediate modernization Of three
battleshipS yet to be brought UP to date
under the Navy Departments program
would mean that some 800 skilled and
unskilled workers at the Washington
Navy Yard-slated to be discharged in
the near future under a reduction
policy-would likely retain their pres
ent posts.
This was revealed last night by N.
p. Alias, president of District No. IA
OF the International Association of
Machintsts and legislative representa-
tive OF the entire association, who
placed the prospective lay-offS OF Navy
yard workers all over the country in
the vicinity of 5000 men.
Announcement was made yesterday by
Chairman Britten of the House naval
affairs committee that he would en-
deavor to obtain immediate enactment
Of the Darrow bill to authorize $50. 000.-
600 for the modernization of the U. S.
8. Idaho, New Mexico and Mississippi.
The Illinois Representative asserted that
enactment OF this measure at the pres
ent session would prevent the laying
of Of between 5000 and 1000 men em-
ployed in the Nations navy yards.
Effect on Employment.
Mr.. Alias emphasized that If the
modernization enabling act goes through
Immediately and the necessary money is
appropriated forthwith, work would be
started on January / or earlier, II
necessary, to relieve the unemploy-
ment situation. The labor leader as
serted that Secretary Adams is heartily
In favor OF immediate action on the
modernization program.
AT present, the U. S. S. PENNSYLVANIA
tS hAin0 nnnAaFni1nd ~
while the U. s. S. Arizona is under
going up-to-date repairs at the Norfolk,
Va, Navy Yard. 1t is proposed to give
the new work to these yards, If the three
battlesh1ps yet to be modernized are
TO be given an overhauling to equip
them with the latest available. devices.
II the modernization program for
these three vessels goes through at this
session of Congress it may save the Jobs
OF some 800 men right here at the
Washington Navy Yard" Mr.. Atlas
said, indicating that this number of
men will likely be relieved of their
present duties II the legislation fails.
Slowing Up in Orders.
The slowing up in orders for the
Washington Navy Yards gun factory,
due to the cessation Of naval construc-
ton, Is held responsible for the pros
pective lay-offs. It was recently an
nounced that some $50 men are due to
be furloughed at the Washington Navy
Yard in August and September. More
lay-offs are In sight after that time,
as the work shows up still further.
I'VE think that Congress should pass
this legislation without delay. as 1t
should be interested in saving the jobs
of some 5000 men, in view of serious
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT conditions ~
asserted. within the next few months
it is indicated that that number of
men will CO."
Mr.. Alias asserted that there is no
need Of waiting until December to
afford this relief, because, he reasoned,
1t win have to be done eventually, and
1t should be done forthwith.
Need District Fund Bill.
The labor leader took occasion to
point out that If the District appro-
priation bill fails to pass. this will mean
unemployment for couple of thou
be reflected unfavorably in business,
due to the reduced purchasing power.
Modernization of the U. S. S. Idaho,
New Mexico and Mississippi, Mr.. Alias
insisted, would violate neither the 1922
Washington naval pact nor that drawn
up recently at London. This, he said,
has been conceded by Secretary Adams.
While the deficiency bill is row in
conference. and 1t seems unlikely that
an appropriation could be inserted at
this time, even If the authorizing act
is rushed through, Mr.. Alias said that
it might be possible to obtain the money
by the passage of joint resolution in
the form of special appropriation.
49,, Hope House win Act.
1--WE hope the leaders of the House
and the Naval Affairs Committee will
be able TO arrange for prompt enact
ment of this legislation" Mr.. Atlas
said. I'VE have reason to believe that
there will be immediate action on the
measure in the Senate"
Capt. Claude c. Bloch, the new COM
mandant Of the Washington Navy Yard,
said last night that work in the Naval
Gun Factory, with relation to the mod
erniZation Of the u. s. S. Pennsylvania
and the u. S. s Arizona is now prac-
tically completed. He said that no
additional lay-offs at the local yard are
contemplated within the next couple of
weeks. About 400 men have been de-
tached from the service during the cur
rent fiscal year, which ends on Monday.