The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-28
An Appeal IN He Made to the Presi-
dent in Case the Unions AIIega-
tions BE Ignored by Palmer.
CONFERENCE LAST NIGHT
LABOR LEADERS DISCUSS SITUATION,
BUT TAKE NO ACTION.
Anxious to Have the President Modify
His Ruling, Which Makes the
Printing Office an "Open shop"

WASHINGTON. July Wv. A. Miller.
the assistant foreman for the bookbinding
department of the government printing
Office. resumed duties to-day. Miller was
assigned TO his former position in charge
of the men who have been waging a Wig
orous campaign against him, but the men,
acting under the decision of the union,
continued at work technically under pro-
test" Secretary Dougherty, OF the Inter-
national Brotherhood of Bookbinders, has
arrived here and has consulted with the
local union. President Tatum of the
Brotherhood being detained by illness. No
radical action of any sort is now contem-
plated
Public Printer Palmer and President Bar
rett, of the local Bookbinders' Union, differ
in their statements as to the consideration
of the charges. Mr.. Palmer said to-day
that the charges are not being investi-
gated and would not be, except under GER
tain circumstances. which he declined to
sepcify. Barrett says the charges are un-
der investigation pending which the union
does not intend ito force the, public prin-
ter's hand" 1t is also stated that IL the
public printer does not sustain the charges
the union will appeal directly to the Presi-
dent to relieve Miller on the charges on
based.
A committee representing the Bookbind-
erS Union called on Secretary CortelyOu
to-day. They are keeping him advised OF
the steps taken by the union in the Miller
case
general committee of three, represent
ing the labor unions of the city, to-day
called upon the Civil-service Commission to
make inquiry as to whether a certificate of
reinstatement would be issued to members
of the unions employed by the government
in case they should go on strike. The COM
missioner replied that the inquiry was
largely hypothetical, and that the bridge
would be crossed when reached.
There was long discussion at a meeting
tonight at Typographical Hall of the sit
uation arising over the reinstatement OF
Miller The meeting was attended by two
representatives of the International Book
binders Brotherhood, Messrs j. w. Dough-
erty, its general secretary, and j. A. Es-
pey, the financial secretary and treasurer;
by the presidents and secretaries of the
various allied organizations represented in
the government printing office. including
the printers, the pressmen, the photo en-
graverS and the women's auxiliary and also
by President Gompers and Secretary Morri-
son. of the American Federation of Labor.
After the meeting the statement was made
that no definite action had been taken and
that the time had been consumed in discus
sion. No time set for another meeting
and it is said the intention is to wait for a
time TO see what action Public Printer
Palmer will take in the case of Miller.
against whom charges of unfitness have
been preferred.
Aside from the immediate interest aroused
i'm the matter by Miller's reinstatement the
members of the various organizations say
they realize that there Is broader aspect
to the whole case. They feel that the Pres
ident's ruling in the Miller case practically
makes the government printing office an
"open shop" in which man or woman
may be employed whether members of any
union or not. They are anxious that Pres
ident Roosevelt find some way in which
his ruling may be modified so that this
condition OF affairs will not arise.