Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-31
Head of the Brother hood of
Bookbinders
HOLDS A CONFERENCE
MEETS ARBITRATION COMMITTEE
OF LOCAL UNION.
Believed That an Effective Plan of
Campaign Against Miller
Has Been Prepared.

President E. W. Tatum Of the Interna-
tional Brotherhood OF Bookbinders came to
Washington today in response to call
from the arbitration committee OF the local
union and had a conference with the men,
bers of that committee this afternoon. Just
what was the nature Of that pow-wow or
its result could not be learned. but hints
that were dropped led to the belief that
plan of action had been outlined that would
tend to expedite the examination by the
public printer OF the charges preferred
against w. A. Miller by the bookbinders OF
the government printing office. and that thu
removal OF the latter from his position Us
assistant foreman would soon be accom-
plished.
Will Be Carefully Considered.
This Is not shared by officials OF the gov
eminent who have been brought into the
case and 1t Is asserted by those who are
in a position to know that the matter will
be held In allegiance for the present and
considered calmly and dispassionately at
some future time. For the government
there Is no need of hurry in this matter.
The administration OF the laws OF the
United States does not become excited.
though unions may, and In this case there
Is abundant evidence at hand that the
rule will be adhered to.
A short time since the impression was
been placed In such delicate situation by
the action OF the bookbnders that he would
be very soon forced to show his hand and
declare for the union or the man they are
fighting. This feeling has lost followers.
and the impression prevails that ample time
will be taken to carefully consider the case
and examine all of the affidavits accom-
panying the protest against the retention
Of Miller.
The case will be taken up as II there had
never been any Miller In the service or
any charges preferred against him as
member of the bookbinders union or an
employee of the government printing office.
The charges that led to his dismissal from
the service will not be taken into consid-
has been prepared against him His dis
missal is desired by the members Of the
union because he was an enemy OF that
union a hard taskmaster and derelict in
his allegiance to the officials OF the print
ing Office who stood ahead of him.
1t Is these charges that will be consid-
cred and nothing will be allowed to enter
into the consideration Of the case that
slnacks at all of the former case.
Machines and the Men.
Some interest has been aroused in the
printing department of the office by the
gossip that the entire office would come
under the eyes of Congress for an investi-
CATION. and members of the force have gone
SO far as TO express opinions as to the
quality Of the work that Is done In the
office and the relation of that work to the
pay.
One Of the printers said today that even
II modern typesetting machines were In
stalled in the office 1t would not necessar-
lily follow that the force would be reduced
for the reason he explained. that the con-
slant growth of the output of the office
would require many men as are now en-
ployed there. He admitted that a machine
In the hands of a good operator. could turn
out five times much work as could be
done by hand COMMISSION Dut said that
these figures did not alter his opinion that
their introduction would not compel the
reduction of the force.
The public printer has not vet taken the
Miller charges under cons Iteration, and.
from what has been learned during the last
day or two is not likely to do so imme-
d!ately. Members OF the bookbinders'
union are leaning toward the feeling that
he wishes to tire them out with waiting be-
fore taking action. so that whatever the
result of his investigation they vii. not feel
the me animosty that Nigh, be the case
If he made his answer during the heat Of
the controversy.
Miller Is working regularly and with ap-
parently no friction. at his old place, and
this Is taken by the public printer to indi-
cate that whenever the decision is made It's
effect will not be so provocative of an ex-
ploson as would have been the case q week
ago.
Bookbinders Show Self-Control.
In the meantime the bookbinders are dis
playing q commendable patience and will
probably not call upon the public printer
for his decision, but Will permit him to take
his time and decide the case when he has
had ample opportunity for its consideration.
meeting will probably be held tomor-
rev of the local arbitration committee
and the members of the executive council.
IN order that the local men may have the
benefit of the advice of tho others as to
the proper course 10 pursue in the event
OF the decision in the case going against
them. There will he here to attend such
g. meeting at least three members Of the
council in addition to President Tatum.
Secretary CortelyOu has not been visited
by any OF the union men for several days
tleN rcdllziug TINT the III tar NOW at