The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-14
ROOSEVELT TO LABOR MEN
President Sticks to His Decision in
the Miller Case.
NOT TO DISMISS THE FOREMAN

He Cannot Discriminate Against Him Be-
cause He is Non-Union Man-ouestion
of Fitness VIII Be Determined in
Routine Way Two-Hour Conference
with Mitchell, Go,npers and Others.
Washington, D. C.-President Roose-
welt announced to labor leaders who
conferred with him on the subject that
his decision not to dismiss Foreman
w. A. Miller, Of the Government Print
ing Office, is final. He told them that
the question Of Miller's personal fitness
must be settled in the regular routine
Of the administration. Foreman Mil
Ter is the man who was dismissed be-
cause he had been expelled from the
local bookbinders' union and afterward
WAS reinstated by direction Of the
President At the conclusion Of the
conference, which took place at the
white House and lasted until almost
midnight. the President issued the fol-
lowing statement:
Pursuant to the request Of Samuel
Gompers, President of the American
Federation of Labor, the President
granted an interview this evening to
the following members Of the EXecu-
tive Council Of that body: Mr.. Samuel
Gompers, Mr.. James Duncan, Mr.. John
Mitchell Mr.. James O'Connell and Mr..
Frank Morrison. at which various SUBJ
jects Of legislation in the interests Of
labor as we'll as Executive action were
discussed. Concerning the case of
William A. Miller, the President made
the following statement:
81 thank you and your committee
for your courtesy, and appreciate the
opportunity to meet with you. 1t will
always be pleasure to see you or any
representatives Of your organizations
or Of your federation as q whole.
GAS regards the Miller case, I have
little to add to what I have already
said. In dealing with it ask you to
remember that I am dealing purely
with the relation Of the Government
to it's employees. I must govern my ac-
ton by the laws Of the land. which I
am sworn to administer. and which
differentiate any case to which the
Government of the United States is
party from all other cases whatsoever.
These laws are enacted for the benefit
of the whole people, and can not and
must not be construed as permitting
discrimination against some Of the peo-
pie. I am President of all the people
of the United States, without regard to
creed. color, birthplace, occupation or
social condition. My aim is to do equal
and exact justice as among them all.
In the employment and dismissal Of
men in the Government service can
no more recognize the fact that man
does or does not belong to union as
being for or against him than I can
recognize the fact that he is Protestant
or Catholic, Jew or a Gentle, as be-
Ing for or against him.
"In the communications sent me by
various labor organizations protesting
against the retention Of Miller in the
Government Printing Office the
grounds alleged are twofold: l. That
he is non-union man; 2, that he is
not personally fit. The question Of his
personal fitness is one to be settled in
the routine Of administrative detailt
and cannot be allowed to conflict with
or to complicate the larger question Of
Governmental discrimination for or
against him or any other man because
he Is or is not member Of union.
This is the only question now before
me for decision. and as to this my de-
cision is final.'"
The labor leaders came away from
the interview much downcast at the
Presidents firm and unyielding posi-
tion. AS one Of them remarked, "He
stands pat, and that is all there IS to
it." No intimation was given as to
what course the labor federation would
take as the next step in the controver-
sy. No criticism was offered on the
Presidents remarks or his attitude in
the matter, but it was indicated that
the Federation could not afford to lie
dormant under the reverse that the
committee met, and that the Miller case
could of necessity be forced to the
front in the National Convention in
Boston in November.
Mr.. GonperS said he had nothing to
say by way of comment on the Presi-
dents statement. AS a matter Of cour-
tesy. If for no other reason. he said he
should decline to say whether 1t was
satisfactory.