§ (1) Allegation—The majority came in and got into corners and played cards all the day long and never lifted a hammer to do any work.
§ Answer—This statement is not true. Certain cases of slackness have occurred, as would be expected, but these cases, when brought to notice, have been severely dealt with.
821§ (2) Allegation.—Any time during the day you could go over to the canteens and find them smoking and drinking tea.
§ Answer—The use of canteens, except at stated times, is forbidden, and the statement that they are used at all times during the day is untrue. In August, 1917, the output reached its highest level, over 1,100 different consignments being dealt with in that month as against 650 in August, 1916.
§ (3) Allegation. One man from each section had to go down to the butts to see the carriage tested; and no matter how many there were to do, you were expected to stay away all day, even if you got finished by 9.30, and you were not expected back to the shop before 5.30 at night. Most of the men took advantage of this, and turned up about 5.30 p.m. and get allowed one hour for dinner because they were not back in the shop by 12.30 p.m. That meant they knocked off at 7 p.m. and got paid till 8 o'clock.
§ Answer.—The examiners who are sent down to watch proof invariably return to the inspection shed and report to the foreman when the proof of the carriages they are watching is finished. Since gun and carriage proof may continue right through the dinner hour, it is necessary for examiners to be continually in attendance; and consequently they are allowed to leave at 7 p.m., though paid up to 8 p.m. to make up for the dinner hour. The statement that the men take advantage of the opportunity to get away from the Arsenal because of any delay in proof or early finish, is not true, since reports from the butts could at once bring to light the time proof was finished, and show up any "playing truant" on the part of the examiner. There is such a continuous stream of carriages going down to proof that it would be extremely difficult for any examiner to evade detection of any irregularity, since he might be wanted at a moment's notice.