The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-10-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
from Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, Oct. 5, 1903.

problem involved in the Miller contro-
versy. The day following his return TO
| Washington he held conference with a
committee Of the American Federation
OF Labor at which were discussed many
! bills which union labor intend To bring
before Congress. The question Of Fore
man Miller was also mentioned and the
President took the opportunity to in
| form the labor leaders that his attitude
on the subject had remained unchanged
and that the decision which he was
about TO give the public was final. After
conference a statement was given out
from the White House in which the
president declared that the laws of the
| land forbid any discrimination between
union and non union men in the employ
OF the government. and that he could no
more decide against man because he
| did not belong TO union, than because
| he was Catholic or Protestant, white
or black Jew or Gentle. For this rearon
| Miller would not be dismissed on the
charges made by the Book binders Union
and the Government Printing Office as
well as all other government bureaus
Which employ laborers would remain
open shops The labor leaders we're
evidently disappointed i'll the Presidents
! decision but i'll statement which they
issued the next day, "To Organized
| Labor Of America" they reirained from
any direct criticism OF the Admnistra-
ton although they declared that union
labor stood firm for the principle OF
"union shops" 1t is believed that John
Mitchell whom the President aided dur
ing the anthracite coal strike and who
took luncheon at the White House on
the day Of the conference, used his in
nuence to induce the leaders to adopt a
conservative course. As far as the Adj
minlstration is concerned, the incident
is now closed.
Among the most recent visitors at the
White House was Mr.. Robert T. Skinner
United States Consul General at Mar
seilles France, who in now in Washing
ten making final arrangements for his
trip into Abyssinia. He goes there to
invite King Menelik to the ST. Louis FIX.
position and ut the SAME time to induce
the African monarch to make a CONNER.
,ial agreement with the United States
He will bring to His Majesty message
of friendship and high esteem from Pres
ident Roosevelt aud will attempt to es.
tablish diplomatic relations with thi,
country which is already good purchas
er Of An erican goods. Mr.. Skinner
says that one third of the goods which
are imported in Abyssina come from tn,
United States aud that the imports o
American cotton goods alore amount tC
100000 annually. We get from Meme
lik's people ivory, hides, carpet wool,
and other raw materials. An American
war ship will take the consul to the
African coast and he will be furnished
with an escort of United States marines
on his trip overland He hopes to reach
the capital of Abyssinia some time IL
November.
Official social and diplomatic circles IN
Washington were much grieved last
Wednesday tc hear Sir Michael Herbert,
the British Ambassador to this country,
had died in Switzerland OF consumption
Sir Michael had been i'll for some time
but he hoped to recover his health in
Switzerland and return he this fall. He
was ambassador but few months vet he
conducted the important negotiations
which followed the attack on Nenezula
by England and her allies, also those
which resulted IN the creation of the
Alaskan Boundary Commission which is
now in session III London
There is every indication that Con.
! gress will make an official investigation
of the Post Office Department Presi-
dent Roosevelt is said To favor 1t, and to
advise the appointment by Congress of a
| special commission which will make a
public investigation similar to that car.
ried out by the famous Lexow commit.
tee which made such thorough expos
ure OF the corruption in the New York
city government. The President also
hopes to have some influence in deciding
| the personne. OF the committee in case
one is authorized. Many republican
members OF Congress believe that a con.
/ gressional investigation would be a good
! political move, as they could thus antici-
! pate the democrats who are certain to
! Introduce such measure IN case the re
pnbhcsns do not. Representative Hem.
| enway OF Indiana who has the coufd
enee OF Speaker-to. be. Cannon. saws,
MY idea would he to have resolution
tor an investigation introduced at the
proper TINE by republican member aud
adopted by the House. The inauir, can
be rapidly conducted. after the careful
work already accomplished hy the de.
partment.