The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-20
Unanimously in Favor Of Barring Out
NonuHionists In Government and
Private Enterprises.
PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT
ASKING HIM TO RE-EXAMINE EyI-
DENCE IN THE MILLER CASE,
And to Remove the Foreman from the
Printing Office Bindery if the
Charges Be Sustained.


GRAFTON of Labor disposed summarily of the
open shop" issue as raised in the case of
William A. Miller. now employed in the
Government Printing Office at Washington,
and the Miller case itself to-day by unani-
mously declaring in favor of the union
shop in government as we'll as in private
enterprises and by petitioning President
Roosevelt to re-examine the evidence Of
fered against Miller. and, If verified, re-
move Miller from the service. Although
the resolution adopted presented the Fed
erations view on both "open shop and
the Miller case, the issues are kept entire
ly distinct. The REORGANIZATION of the
Miller case is not required because Miller
Is a nonunionist, circumstance formally
urged as a reason for his removal, but be-
cause the Federation believes MILLER is
totally unfit to be in charge of the working
people" The Iuii text OF the resolution
concerning the Miller case follows:
Whereas, The attention of President
Roosevelt, Secretary of Commerce and La
Dor Cortelyou and Public Printer Palmer
has been called to the employment in the
blndery OF the Government Printing Office
of one William A. Miller. as assistant fore
man; and,
Whereas, Said William A. Miller has
been proved In affidavits and court records
in our possession to be bgamist. perjurer.
defaulter and one totally unfit to be in
charge of working people; and,
Whereas. The attention of the public
officials referred to has been called to sew
en- violations of civil-service rules and two
violations of Revised Statutes. all of which
violations require instant dismissal from
the service, by said William A. Miller: and.
Whereas, President Roosevelt has de-
clared the charge of personal unfitnesS of
William A. Miller to be one of routine
matter of administrative DETAIL; and
Whereas, We regard the continued re-
tention OF William A. Miller in the gov
eminent employ to be menace to pro-
duction of creditable work because of dis
satisfaction with his methods as foreman;
therefore, be il
Resolved. That the American Fedora
ton OF Labor. in convention assembled
hereby petitions President Roosevelt to
examine into the affidavits and testimony
submitted by local union No a. Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Bookbinders, to Pub
lie Printer Palmer, and upon verification
to Immediately remove him, William A.
Miller from the government service
An amendment TO the resolution that the
FEEDER alton place itself on record as being
In favor of the union shop everywhere, in
federal. state and municipal employment.
as well as In private enterprises, was unan-
| imcusly adopted.
Resolutions were adopted favoring the
constr uction of the Panama canal by citi-
zens OF the United States. urging that the
Chinese exclusion act be made to apply
in the Philippines and Hawaiian islands,
and favoring women's suffrage and the
Il
senators by direct vote.
A proposition TO amalgamate the West
ern Federation of Miners with the Amer
lean Federation of Labor was sent to the
executive council with the understanding
that a committee should be appointed to
| bring about, if possible, the utilization.
AS a substitute for various resolutions
offered amendments to the constitution
| the committee on laws reported resolution
that the secretary be instructed TO communi-
cate with the secretaries of all national and
international unions affiliated with that
body, advising them to comply with the
provision of the constitution of the Fedora
| tion making ii the duty of local unions of
| all affiliated bodies to join chartered cen
/ tral labor unions and State declarations in
| their district
/ discussion led by Delegate LAWN, of
! Wilkesbarre, Pa. followed Mr.. LAWN OPP
posed the committee report vigorously and
/ in his remarks attacked the miners of
| Pennsylvania. John Mitchell was on his
| feet in a moment to reply. Mr.. Mitchell
| declared that some unions of miners in the
| anthracite coal field refused to belong to
! the central labor unions largely because OF
! irrational and untruthful statements such
as just made by Delegate LAWN.
| ut is not fair" said Mr.. Mitchell in
conclusion, for Mr.. Lawn to seek to Stig-
Matte our unions.
| The substitute reported by the committee
| on the utilization of unions with the central
| labor body was finally adopted.
| The remainder Of the afternoon was de-
| voted to discussion OF the plan to in
! crease the executive council of the Fedora
| lions by two members. The matter was
| referred to the committee on law. The
| convention then adjourned until tomorrow