The morning times., 1896-02-08
STRIKE NOT IMPOSSIBLE
Trouble Brewing in the Govern
ment Printing Office.
FOREMAN EDMUNDS FINED
He Had Refused to Measure Up Dead
Matter and Hence Had Incurred the
Dispieasure of the Union-Refuses
to Fay the Eine-Mr Benedict De-
ciines To Interfere.

There is trouble brewing in the Govern
ment Printing Office The possibility of
the men being called out by the Typo
graphical Union is not denied. Rumor has
said that International President Prescott
was expected in Washington, but there is
no confirmation sof the report that he is
coming. The officers OF the local union
will not express an opinion as to what viii
be done if Foreman Elniunds refuses to pay
the fine OF $50 imposed by the union for
declining TO obey the instructions OF the
chairman and the chapel.
Ine trouble arose over Edmunds' refusal
tomeaSu MP lot OF dead matter which it
was proposed 10 again run off. The rules OF
the union recognize the use of dead matter
the same as if set up, and the menassigned
TO attend to it are supposed to be paid for
il the same as for piece-w ork. On recent
occasion Foreman Edmunds refused 10
measure up such matter, Claiming that
such proceeding was unusual where the
printers were being paid by the day instead
of by the thousand.
EDMUNDS USED STRONG LANGUAGE.
The printers appealed TO Chairman Wat
son, and he directed that Edmunds should
measure it up. 1t is asserted, and Edmunds
did not yesterday deny it, that he an
swered Watson by telling him to chase
himself to the region OF Pluto, where fire
eternally burns. Watson appealed to the
chapel and was sustained in his decision
against Edmunds. The chapels order be-
ing disregarded, it appealed TO the business
committee of the Typographical Union, and
that committee, in q scathing rebuke to
posed for his refusal to obey the chapel.
The union imposed the maximum fine of
$25, which Edmunds refused to pay. The
foreman says it is unjust and he will not
pay it.
Under the existing circumstances the
officers of the union claim that EdmuIds
has not working card, ard admit that
for the present he is out OF the union. So
strongly is this view of the matter taken
that a resolution was adopted by the
union and sent to Public Printer Bene
dict protesting against the men in Ed
munds' division being compelled to work
with him.
SO far Mr.. Benedict has taken no notice
OF the protest, and. not being an active
menber of the union. it is not thought he
viii interfere. Secretary Baker said last
evening that Mr.. Benedict had received
The resolution, but did not think it his duty
to interfere with matter purely in the
province OF the typographical Union.
UNION SHOULD SETTLE IT.
1t was learned that no decided
steps TO bring President Prescott to this
city had been taken. What has been con-
strued as an intention OF suInmoning Presi-
dent Prescott is the action of the officers
In appealing to =the International Union
for its decision. 1t seems to be understood
that if the International Union sustained
the local body Il meeting will be held to
determine upon a strike, unless Edmunds
is discharged.
To odeciare a strike will require the affirm
ative vote of three-fGarths of the members
of a regularly called meeting. Just at the
present time there is considerable work at
the government Printing Office, and a .'can
OUT would causcmueh trouble. II could be
averted by the removal OF Edmunds, but 80
do this without sufficient reason would
menna violation of the civil service law.
Edmuntls says number of the printers are
backing him, and that the whole business is
the result of personal spite against him by
Chairman Watson. The matter is believed
to be now in the hands of the International
Union. upon whose decision the final issue
depends.