Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-24
SEEKING 4: SOLUTION
III
The Miller Case Becomes a
Serious Problem.
LABOR CHIEPs CONFER
UNWILLING TO ANrAaoNIzE THE
PRESIDENT.
Radical Spirit That Would Welcome a
Political War Frowned Upon
Executive Councils. Deliberations.

If any one can come forward at this time
with some proposition for the solution of
the difficulty that has grown out Of the
reinstatement of William A. Miller. as
foreman in the bfndery division Of the gov
eminent printing Office. he will be vel
coined by the executive council of the
American Federation Of Labor.
p 1t can be stated positively that the execu
tive council does not want to bring on
a political fight against President Roosevelt
ON account of the government printing Of
flee incident. The council has been
brought into this controversy by the &C
ton of the local Union of Bookbinders and
the Central Labor Union The RESPONSE
bility is one that in the end naturally de-
wolves upon the American Federation of
Labor, as 1t is acknowledged that any
strike or other movement that is not sane
toned by the federation would almost sure
ly fail for want Of material support.
Executive Council Celebrating.
Ever since this troublesome question has
come within the jurisdiction of the execu-
tive council Of the American Federation of
Labor members Of that council assembled
in their meeting room on the second floor 4
of Typographical Temple have frequently
asked. What can we do?" To this ques-
eloh ehCiC LIDS, uP 10 Lie VI CSCtil tAiiiC, DCCh
no reply that has met the approval Of a
Majority Of the members. The council does
not view with approval the radical spirit in
the local bookbinders union and In the
Central Labor Union, that has declared It
self in favor Of waging a warfare on Presi-
dent Roosevelt because OF the course he
has taken. both in the reinstatement Of
Miller and In bringing forward that pro-
vision Of the anthracite coal commissions
decision declaring in favor of an open
door" The difficulty OF the council has
been to determine upon some solution of
the controversy that Twill satisfy the book
binders and other union. labor interests and
at the same time will be acceptable to the
President.
The Coming Convention.
The executive council has full authority
to act upon this question. and 1t Is not re-
garded as at all likely that it's course will
be disapproved at the. annual convention OF
the Federation of Labor. which meets No
vember In Boston. 1t Is regarded by !
members Of the council as urgently desir-
able that they decide this question before
the meeting of the convention: and II 1t is
possible for them to do SO they will arrive
at some decision before adjournment. The
situation today was one that seemed to
them almost impossible; of solution.
1t Is believed that II the dismissal of Mil
Ter from the government printing Office
would satisfy the labor interests such So
luton could be easily arrived at. The opin-
ion is general that the committee appointed
by the President to report on the Miller
case has unanimously recommended his re-
moval from the government service because
of personal charges that have! been looked
Labor leaders express the opinion that
Miller will be removed. But they feel but
little confidence in propositions to obtain
from the President any reversal of hts
statement in relation to the open door, in
the government printing office.
Political Complications.
The Federation of Labor views with a
more conservative spirit than does any I'M
ion representing single trade such a
proposition as that contained in the sug-
gestion that political war be begun on
the President The federation has long
sought to keep aloof from politics II the
federation should decide TO fight the Presi-
dent, and should Mr.. Roosevelt be nnnli-
mated. the organization would be In the
position of an ally to a political party
Leaders recognize thar such an attitude on
the part of organized labor would for many
years prove to be great embarrassment
in it's efforts to obtain legislation in Con-
gress. At the present time the Federation
of Labor has sought votes for it's measures
from men of all political opinions. and It
has been able to do so on the statement that
1t is In no sense political organization SO
far as fighting on the side of any political
party Is concerned. 1t Is ready to use It's
influence to elect It's own sy1npathizers In
opposition to men believed to be antagonis-
tic to its interests. but in these cases it has
been we'll understood that there has been
no permanent cooperation with any politi-
cal party. -
Responsibility Of the Leaders.
Members of the executive council feel that
If they should be responsible for move
ment that would result In an attempt to
throw the vote of their organization with
one or the other of the great political par
ties at the next election they would prob
ably be involved in serious situation
They could not undertake to fight. the
President without carrying that fight be-
yond the nominating convention and into
the campaign. If carried into the election
they would become an ally with the party
opposing Mr.. Roosevelt.
There is also feeling that the organiza-
ton itself might receive: a severe setback
in It's forward march of progress by ,such a
proceeding. There Is little confidence in
preventing a split in the organization In
such an event. so far as the casting of bal
lots Is concerned. There Is not a complete
confidence in the ability of the leaders to
swing the vote Of union men In a national
election. -