Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-01

interest to advocate the open shop. AS
the immortal Lincoln said. Ims country
cannot long remain half free ana nan
slave" SO say we, that any establishment
cannot long remain or be successfully oper-
ated part union and part non-unloh.
I'm connection with the meeuns Oh 'ne
executive council, and by appointment
conference was held with the President Oh
the United States for the purpose OF ais-
cussing important labor Legislation: Inc
eight-hour bill was CONSIDERED at ishS -,
the President stating that ms mlhG nv iau
NOT changed on that form of legislation
since he had favored it as governor OF New
York state and, therefore, was favoraple
to the passage of the proposed act.
ION the anti-injunction bill. IN Iespo r,aS
To questions submitted the President repiled
the subject would have his most cafeiul
and earnest attention.
The Miller Controversy.
"Other important questions affecting leg
,sI,+ion as per decision of the last conVen-
ton were taken up, and on behalf OF the
International Bookbinders Union the Miller
case was discussed. The executive council
brought to the Presidents attention the
manner in which his decision had been
quoted and in addition to the relationship
of Mr. Miller to the bookbinders union as
brought forth in the charges against hllii'
the open shop idea was carefully con-
sidered. Replying to statements on the
subject President Roosevelt set forth that
in his decision he had nothing in MIND put
a strict compliance with federal, hciudihs
civil service law. and that he recognized a
difference between employ by the gov
eminent. circumscribed by those laws, ana
any other form of employment, ana that
his decision in the Miller case should not
be understood to have any other erect or
influence than affecting direct employment
by the government in accordance Herewith
He Furthermore made plain that in any
form of employment, excepting that so cir
bod bn hnli
ment of union men was preferable either TO
nOn-uniOn or open shop.
I'm view of the publicity given this sub
ject the executive council of the American
Federation of Labor takes this opportunity
to say that the trades union movement
stands for strictly union shop, experience
having proved that where the open Shop
system has been tried reduction in wages
and profits have ensued. with general dis
aSter to the industry practicing that syS-
TEN. and therefore declares that the best
interest of the labor movement calls for
the employment of union workers and dis
courages in every way, shape and form the
deteriOrating effects which follow the recog-
milton of the open shop
No Surrender.
"rhe toilng masses, and particularly the
organized wage-earners, cannot, must not
and will not surrender one jot of that which
they have secured must organize the yet
unorganiZed, unite and federate those al
ready organized to present solid phalanx
of the grand army of labor In earnest and
emphatic protest against judicial usurpa-
ton or capitalistic invasion of our rights,
attempted no matter by whom, or from
whatsoever source.
THE hope for right and justice hereafter.
well as the preparation of liberty, and
our republican institutions, lies in organized
labor. Therefore. with the consciousness of
the justice and soundness of our position,
we appeal to the judgment of all men, and
particularly to the toilers of America. that
they organize, unite and federate without
regard to trade, calling, nationality, local
ity, SEX politics, color religion
The address was signed by Samuel Com
pers, president; James Duncan, first vice
president; John Mitchell, second vice pres
ident James O'Connell. third vice pres
ident Max Norris. fourth vice president;
Thos. l. Kidd, fifth vice president; d. a.
Hayes. sixth vice president; John B. Len
non, treasurer; Frank Morrison. secretary
executive council. American Federation of
Labor.