No applicant shall be registered under more than one schedule, nor in more than one occupation or trade at the same time, but if a registered applicant desires to have his name dropped from the eligible list, he may, by application to the labor board in writing, do so, and then register anew at the bottom of the list in another trade, provided he complies with the requirements for registration in the same manner as if he had not been registered.

The registration of "boys" shall be confined exclusively to boys to be employed on manual labor not suitable for men.

The occupations and trades in Schedules A and B shall be divided into four classes, designated as first class, second class, third class, fourth class, with pay graded accordingly as determined in the latest quarterly schedule of wages for each yard, the fourth class being the lowest.

Applicants in any trade under Schedule B may register at their option as follows: (1) For the first class only.

(2) For the three lower classes without distinction.

(3) For the trade generally, without reference to class.

Applicants in any occupation or trade in Schedule A shall be registered for the occupation or trade generally and without reference to class.

An applicant to be registered for employment in an occupation or trade in Schedule A or B must present in person to the board of labor employment, at the navy-yard in which he desires employment, an application, and evidence to establish his capacity for the work he desires, his character and habits of industry and sobriety.

FORMS.

The board will furnish prescribed blank forms (Navy-Yard Orders, Forms 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22) to enable applicants to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. Form 17, the application, to be filled out and signed by the applicant. Form 18, a statement of the applicant's service in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States, to be presented and signed by an applicant who shows to the board of labor employment, when presenting his application, an honorable discharge from or a certificate of service in one or more of the said armed branches of the Government.

Form-19, a character certificate, which must be signed by a reputable citizen of the applicant's locality, testifying to the latter's character and habits of industry and sobriety.

Form 20, a trade certificate, which must be signed by a firm or member thereof, superintendent, master workman, or other person under whom the applicant has worked at the trade in which he applies for employment, certifying to his capacity in said trade and to his character and habits of industry and sobriety, and the person who so certifies must specifically state that he has employed the applicant in the trade for which he recommends him. If this certificate is signed by a foreman, quarterman, or other employee of a navy-yard, it shall not be accepted.

Form 21, a certificate which must be signed by the head of department of a navyyard under whom the applicant served in the trade in which he applies for employment, testifying to his knowledge of the trade, and stating that his workmanship and conduct while so employed were "excellent," "good," or "poor," as the case may be.

If the certificate states that the recipient's workmanship and conduct were both "excellent," or that his workmanship was "excellent" and conduct "good," he shall be entitled to preference under Clause II of paragraph 31.

If the certificate states that the recipient's workmanship was "good,” and that his conduct was "excellent" or "good," he shall be entitled to register under Clause III, but not under Clause II of paragraph 31.

If the certificate states that either the recipient's workmanship or conduct was "poor," he shall not be entitled to register within a period of one year from the date of his last discharge, at the expiration of which time he may be admitted to registration under Clause III, but not under Clause II of paragraph 31.

Form 22, a discharge card, which must be signed by the head of department of a navy-yard under whom the recipient served. If such discharge card states that the recipient's workmanship and conduct were both "excellent," or that his workmanship was "excellent" and conduct "good," the recipient is entitled to register as a preferred applicant in the order of registration next after veterans (Clause II, paragraph 31).

If such discharge card states that the recipient's general workmanship was "good,” and general conduct "excellent" or "good," he is entitled to register under Clause III, but not under Clause II of paragraph 31; thus he shall not be given preference in certification over applicants who have not worked in a navy-yard.

If such discharge card states that either the general workmanship or conduct of the recipient was "poor," he shall not be entitled to register within a period of one year from the date of his last discharge, at the expiration of which time he may be admitted to registration under Clause III, but not under Clause II of paragraph 31. If such discharge card states that the recipient was discharged for carelessness, indolence, intemperance, insubordination or causes of like character the recipient shall be excluded from registration for six months, at the expiration of which time, if his general workmanship was "excellent" or "good," he may be admitted to registration under Clause III, but not under Clause II of paragraph 31, if, in the opinion of the labor board, his application merits favorable consideration.

PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY.

The term of eligibility, for certification by the board, of a registered applicant shall be one year from the date on which the name of the applicant is entered upon the register, and the name of a registered applicant shall then be dropped from the register unless he presents to the labor board during the last month of the term of his eligibility a request in writing (Navy-Yard Orders, Form 29) that his name and number be continued on the list. When this is done his term of eligibility shall be extended for one year, and this extension may be renewed each succeeding year in the manner above described, but shall not carry with it an extension of the period during which preference is given for "excellent" workmanship.

An applicant having on file a certificate from the head of department under whom he served stating that he gave satisfaction in navy-yard work while so employed, or presenting or having on file a discharge card (Navy-Yard Orders, Form 9), may be reregistered under a new number by filling out Navy-Yard Orders, Form 17, whereupon the labor board shall file the above-mentioned certificate or discharge card with the new application, and note in writing and place in the old jacket of the applicant the following memorandum: "Certificate of navy-yard experience filed with new application No. —," but no one so reregistered shall hereafter be given preference under Clause II, paragraph 31, unless the said certificate, or the "Return of Discharges" of the same date as the discharge card on file, shows that his workmanship was "excellent," and conduct not less than "good."

ORDER OF CERTIFICATION AND MODE OF SELECTION.

The following is the order of certification observed:

Clause I.-(a) Veterans.

(b) Those who served in the naval or military service of the United States during the late war of the rebellion and who were honorably discharged therefrom.

(c) Those who have served in the Navy or Marine Corps since the late war of the rebellion for a period of twelve years or more, exclusive of apprentice service, and who were honorably discharged therefrom.

Clanse II.-Those who have given satisfaction in navy-yard work in the same or in an allied trade to that for which requisition is made, and who present certificates or discharge cards from the head of department under whom they severally served, showing that their workmanship was "excellent” and conduct not less than “good.” Those who have served in the Navy or Marine Corps for a period of six years or more, exclusive of apprentice service, in the same or in an allied trade to that for which requisition is made and whose honorable discharges or continuous-service certificates show that they are proficient in their respective ratings and that their average conduct is marked 4 or better.

Those who have served in the naval or military service of the United States since the war of the rebellion and have been honorably discharged there from by reason of disability resulting from wounds or sickness incurred in the line of duty.

Clause III.-All others on the register.

To be registered under (c) of Clause I (except under conditions stated in (y) of this order) or under Clause II application must be made within two years from the date of the applicant's separation from the service, otherwise such applicant is only entitled to register under Clause III.

The mode of selection is as follows:

Requisition having been made for a number of men of a given trade, the names of all under (a) of Clause I, paragraph 31 (veterans), registered in that trade shall be first taken, beginning with the first veteran on the list at the date of making the certification, in the order of registration, and ending with the last.

Next shall be taken the names of all under (b) of Clause I, paragraph 31, registered in the trade in the order of registration, beginning with the first on the list and ending with the last.

Next shall be taken the names of all under (c) of Clause I, paragraph 31, registered in the trade in the order of registration, beginning with the first on the list and ending with the last.

Next shall be taken the names of all of Clause II, paragraph 31, registered in the trade in the order of registration, beginning with the first on the list and ending with the last; but a special preference shall always be given to those persons who have received serious bodily injury while under employment at the yard, provided that their previous record at the yard was "good;" that they are capable of doing good work, and that their employment shall not involve loss to the Government. Next shall be taken the names of all of Clause III, paragraph 31, registered in the trade, beginning with the first on the list and taking the names in the order of registration until the requisition is filled.

This course shall be pursued with every requisition, and no departure shall be made from the order of registration in the clauses named, nor shall any names of men registered be excluded or passed over, except in the case of the special requisitions hereinafter mentioned (paragraphs 39, 41, 46), nor shall any discrimination be exercised by the board of labor employment in regard to men who have been admitted to registration.

REQUISITIONS FOR LABOR-CERTIFICATIONS OF LABOR.

When the services of laborers or mechanics are required in any department, the head of the department shall make, through the commandant, and subject to his approval, a requisition (Navy-Yard Orders, Form 6) upon the board, specifying the kind of service for which they are wanted and the number in each occupation or trade required. This requisition must only call for employees of the trades specified in the quarterly schedule of wages, approved by the Department for each yard. Upon the receipt of such requisition the recorder, under the direction of the board, shall send to the officer making the requisition the number of names called for, if the register contains so many, and at the same time he shall notify each person selected to report at the office of the labor board on or before a fixed date, due regard

officers, with a recorder, to hold a competitive examination to fill the vacancy. The notice shall state the day of the examination.

The examination shall be open to all comers who can give satisfactory evidence of experience in conducting the kind of work in which they seek employment, and who are citizens of the United States. Persons holding positions at the yard shall be admitted to competition on the same footing as the other applicants.

The examination shall be practical in character, having reference exclusively to the requirements of the position to be filled. It shall be directed to ascertain the applicant's knowledge of his business and his possession of the qualities that will enable him to get good work out of his men.

The applicant's antecedents and experience in his trade, as well as the character of his previous work, shall be duly considered by the board in making its recommendations.

The board shall make sufficient inquiry to ascertain that the applicants recommended are physically fit for the work; that they have enough education to make the required reports, estimates, and calculations; that they are of reputable character and of sober and industrious habits, and that they have not been convicted of such crime or misdemeanor as would render their employment undesirable.

At the close of the examination, the board shall make a report, through the commandant to the Secretary of the Navy, showing the comparative merit of the applicants for each vacancy and designating for appointment the name of the individual who, in its opinion, is best qualified for the place. The record of the proceedings of the board, with all applications, certificates, and other papers shall be filed in the office of the board of labor employment.

SPECIAL EMPLOYMENTS (SCHEDULE D).

Special employments (Schedule D) shall comprise those forms of labor which can not be classified under any of the ordinary trades.

Persons appointed to special employment shall be of two ratings:

I. Special mechanics.

II. Special laborers.

Each rating shall consist of four classes-first, second, third, and fourth, according to the rate of pay-which shall be fixed by the Department.

Heads of departments at yards requiring the services of a special mechanic or special laborer shall notify the board of labor employment, stating the character of the work required and the reason therefor. If, in the opinion of the board, the work described can not advantageously be classified under either of the trade schedules (A and B) and can not be supplied by the method of registration, they shall indorse the notification to that effect, and transmit it to the commandant, to be forwarded with his recommendation to the Secretary of the Navy for action. Before making the recommendation, the commandant shall satisfy himself as to whether the special employee is really needed.

When a vacancy occurs in any position under Schedule D, from any cause whatever, the head of the department in which the vacancy occurs shall immediately report the fact to the commandant of the yard, who shall forward it to the Secretary of the Navy direct.

The attention of commandants, under whose supervision the board of labor employment and the heads of departments perform the duties herein prescribed, is called to the fact that every man whose name has once been admitted to the register is entitled to be certified when his name has been reached, and that every man whose name has been certified is entitled to a fair and impartial trial from the head of the department. Commandants will be held strictly responsible for the execution of this order.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF NAVYYARD REGULATIONS.

On September 1, 1891, Secretary of the Navy Tracy promulgated regulations for the employment of labor in navy-yards which placed this important branch of the Government service under the merit system. These regulations were adopted "in order more effectually to carry out the letter and spirit of sections 1544 and 1546 of the U. S. Revised Statutes, for which see page 110, ante. The beneficent results following this change are thus set forth in the report of the Secretary of the Navy for 1892:

"Of all the changes in organization made by this administration the most important is that which relates to the employment of labor at the navy-yards. The high character of work required of these establishments, both in construction and in repair, since the introduction of steel ships, called imperatively for the best class of mechanical labor. The fact was well known that under the system which had previously existed the selection of employees for navy-yard work had been governed largely, if not mainly, by political considerations. Workmen were chosen not only because they belonged to the party of the Administration, but because they belonged to the faction of this or that boss of the local political machine who happened to be in favor. The appointment of workmen by foremen gave great facility for the application of this system, as all that was necessary was to appoint a foreman of the right political stripe, and the details of the business of selection could be readily and simply arranged between the foreman and the local political organizations.

"It is impossible to conceive of a system more demoralizing from a political standpoint or one which from a business standpoint could more thoroughly destroy the efficiency of the yards as manufacturing establishments. In the old days of wooden ships it was perhaps possible to conduct the yards under such a system without absolutely destroying the character of the work, although it must inevitably have entailed a heavy expense. Since the introduction of steel ships such a state of affairs could exist no longer, and it has remained for this Administration, by a series of new regulations, to root it out at once and it is to be hoped forever.

*

"The men obtained by these tests, which were applied at all the yards, showed a high order of excellence, and the work under their direction has steadily improved.

"The order of registration is strictly observed, and in no case is it possible under the regulations to give any preference to a man on account of his political or other affiliations.

"The board exercises no power of selection. The only test is the test of efficiency applied by the head of the department, and this can only be applied upon the men certified by the board.

"As an illustration of the effect of the system it may be stated that Secretary Chandler, in his report for 1884, while declaring that the abolition of machine polities in navy-yards was desirable, stated that whatever might be done with the hulls of our new vessels, the engines could not be constructed in the yards until such a change was made.

"The work performed under this order has been of the highest finish and quality, and no doubt is now entertained of the capacity of our working yards to accomplish any task in the way of naval construction or repair.

H. Doc. 314- -12