Question. Have the operatives exercised any influence in fixing prices, or in other respects? Answer. They have in fixing prices, and, generally, over the officers of the armory. Question. What does the loss on gun barrels arise from? Answer. From bad iron, and imperfect and careless welding. Mr. Foote, then being called before the board, was interrogated, and answered as follows: Question by the board. How long have you been in the armory, and what office do you hold ? Answer. Twenty-five years; and I am inspector of the hill forging shop. Question. How many hours a day do the men in that shop work? Question. How many hours do you consider a fair day's work for them? Answer. Ten hours. Question. What is your opinion of the present tariff of prices? Answer. They are too high. Some men may be absent a week or ten days, and yet make full wages. An absence of that length of time makes no difference in the amount earned. Question. How was the present tariff fixed? Answer. I was absent when it was done; but understand it was drawn up by the workmen, each man fixing his own price. Question. Were you not consulted? Answer. I was afterwards asked whether I had any objection to the prices fixed upon for my shop, and of course made none. At the close of this examination, the board adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock, A. M. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1841. The board met, and were immediately waited upon by Mr. Smith, who was interrogated, and answered as follows: Question by the board. What office do you hold ? Answer. That of inspector of the upper water shop. Question. How many hours a day do the men at that shop work? Answer. More than eight hours. Question. What do you think of the present tariff of prices? Answer. It does not operate equally. Some men could earn from $80 to $90 a month, at the best jobs. Question. Is work work ever kept back at the end of one month, and credited the next? Answer. I recollect no instance; it may have been. Question. Is work done by one man ever credited to another? Answer. Never, or very rarely. I recollect no instance except that of Dickinson's; and of that I was not sure. Question. Was not work done by C. S. Chapin in July last credited in August? Answer. It was. Question. Under what circumstances? Answer. He had worked twenty-five days at a per diem, and turned in besides about $14 worth of piece work; thinking it would not look well, I took off three days' work, and carried them to his credit next month. Question. Why did you think it would not look well? Answer. It would have appeared that he was earning too much. Question. Was not work done by H. Smith, in December and January last, credited to Rumevil? Answer. It was. Question. Was not work credited to S. Chandler, in May and June last, which had not been done by him? Answer. It was. Question. Was not Eames credited, in July last, with work done by H. Smith? Answer. He may have been. Question. How long were A. and W. Collins absent in July ?* Answer. Five or six days. Question. Was it not ten days? Answer. Perhaps about that time. Question. How long was Eames absent that month ?t Question. Have you regular hours of commencing and leaving off work? Answer. None are observed. Mr. Lombard, being then called before the board, was interrogated, and answered as follows: Question. What office do you hold? Answer. That of inspector at the middle water shop, where barrels are welded, bayonets forged, &c. Question. How many hours do the men work at that shop? Answer. Six or seven hours. Question. Are the regulations of the armory generally observed. Mr. Seaton, being then called before the board, was interrogated, and answered as follows: Question by the board. What office do you hold in the armory? Question. How many hours a day do the men work at that shop? Question. Is work ever kept back at the end of the month? Answer. Very seldom; there may have been cases. Question. Is work done by one man ever credited to another? Answer. Very rarely. Question. Was not work done by Taylor credited to A. Rogers last summer? Answer. It was. Question. Why was this done? Answer. I thought the amount of work was too large to appear on the pay roll. The former earned $49, the latter $44 10. † Received $60. Question. Did you know it was contrary to the regulations? Answer. I did. Question. If a man is absent eight or ten days in a month, does it make any difference in the amount he earns ? Answer. Very seldom. Question. By whom were the prices of the present tariff drawn up? Answer. By the workmen, pretty much. Mr. Hubbard, being then called before the board, was interrogated, and answered as follows: Question. How long have you been in the armory, and what office do you hold? Answer. I have been thirty-one years in the armory, and for the last sixteen years inspector of the finishing shop. Question. How many hours do the men work in that shop? Answer. Very near ten. Question. Are the regulations enforced? Answer. They are not. 1 Question. What has been effected by the introduction of machinery for stocking? A great improvement in the quality of the work, and a great diminution of the labor. Less skill also is necessary now than when stocking was done by hand. Question. How many stand of arms have you conveniences to stock per annum ? Answer. Fifty thousand. Tools, machinery, and hands could be procured in three months. These examinations being closed, the board, after some time spent in consultation, adjourned till to-morrow, at eight, A. M. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1841. The board met, and occupied the day in an examination of the tariff of prices, with a view to the formation of a new one; and then adjourned till to-morrow, at S, A. M. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1841. The board met, and resumed the consideration of the tariff of prices. In order to expedite business, it was determined that the president of the board should draw up the report to the War Department, and that the remaining members should complete the adjustment of the tariff, according to the facts and principles which had been ascertained and settled by the board; for which purpose, the board adjourned to meet on Thursday, the 23d instant. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1841. The board met, and took into consideration the tariff reported under the resolution of the 12th instant, and thereafter adjourned till to-morrow, at 8 o'clock, A. M. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1841. The board met, and took into consideration the report drawn up pursuant to the resolution of the 12th instant, and then adjourned till to-morrow, at 8 o'clock, A. M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1841. The board met, and resumed the consideration of the report drawn up for the Department of War, to which they severally affixed their signatures. It was ordered that the secretary should convey the report to the Department of War, and that a member of the board should also proceed to Washington, in order to make any explanations necessary to a correct understanding of the facts and conclusions presented in the report and accompanying documents. For this purpose, Captain Daniel Tyler was selected; and then the board, having no further business before them, adjourned sine die. JOHN D. MCPHERSON, Secretary. CHARLES DAVIES, A. Points to which the attention of the board might be advantageously directed: 1. The number of hours per day which the workmen employed in the armory devote to labor. 2. The conduct of the workmen while engaged in the workshops. 3. The degree of skill possessed by the armorers, as compared with that of other mechanics and armorers. 4. The amounts earned by the armorers, as compared with the wages in the private establishments. 5. The advantages that have accrued to the Government from the introduction of labor-saving machines. 6. The loss arising from the condemnation of gun barrels. 7. The increase in the cost of the musket. 8. The competency and fidelity of the officers of the armory. B. NOTICE. A board has been constituted by the Secretary of War, for the purpose of making a full examination into the former management, the present condition, and the best methods for the future management of the armory at this place. They will examine into and report upon all matters connected with the armory, and hereby invite all persons likely to be affected by the proceedings and action of the board to communicate to them any facts or information calculated to aid them in their investigations. All communications to be made in writing, and addressed to the secretary of the board. By order of the board. SPRINGFELD, September 2, 1841. JNO. D. MCPHERSON, Secretary. |