New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-30
MILLER KEPT IN OFFICE.
PRESIDENTS DECISION.
Flat Refusal to RemOUc Him on
NOn-U NOR Grounds.
rFRoM TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU

rFRoM TIE TRIBUNE BUREAUl
Washington. Sept. 29.-The President tonight
informed the labor leaders that his decision not
to dismiss ". A Miller because he was nom
union man was final. and that the question Of
routine OF administration.
The conference at the White House broke I'D
about II 30 O'Clock, and shortly afterward the
following statement was given to the press:
Pursuant to the request Of Samuel Gompers
president OF THE American Federation Of Labor
the President granted interview this evening
10 the following members OF the executive ooun-
I'll Of that body: Samuel Gompers, James Dun
can. John Mitchell. James O'Connell and Frank
Morrison. at which various subjects Of legisia-
ton in the interests Of labor well executive
action. were discussed. Concerning the case Of
William A Miller. the President made the fol-
lowing statement
! thank you and your committee for your
courtesy. and I appreciate the opportunity 70
meet with YOU. II will always he pleasure TO
see YOU OF any representative OF your crganl-
zations o. Of your federation As a whole.
As regards the Miller case, I have little 70
add 10 what 7 have already said II dealing
with g. / ask YOU TO remember that am deal
purely with the relation or the government
10 its employees. l must govern my acuoh oS
the laws OF the land which am sworn 10 ad-
minister. and which diferentate any case
which the government Of the United states Il
p marty from all other cases whatsoever. These
avs are enacted for the beEeht Of the whole
people. and cannot and must not be construed
as permitting discrimination against some OF
the people. I am President Of all the people or
the United states. without regard 20 creed
color birthplace, occupation or social condition
Ny aim is 10 do equal and exact justice among
them ali.
In the employment and dismissal Of men in
the government service, can no more recog-
rfze the fact that man does or does not belong
10 a union being for or against him. than l
can recognize the fact that he Is protestant
or Catholic. Jew or a Gentle. as being FOR or
against him.
labor organizations protesting against the re
tention OF Miller in the Government Frlhllhs
Office the grounds alleged are twotold:
First-That he is non-union man
Second-That he is not personally Mt
The question OF his personal fitness IL one 70
10 settled in the routine Of administrative de-
an and cannot be allowed 10 conflict with or to
ronlultcate the larger question Of -overnmental
discrimination for or against him or any otner
man because he is or is not member OF d
union This is the only question now before me
for decision, and as TO this m 9ecision Is maj
Mr.. Gompers gave out the following letter to
the President. dated Washington last Thurs
5av. explaining how to-night's conference was
brought about.
Dear Sir: The executive council Of the Aneri-
can Federation Of Labor Is intrusted with the
affairs OF the general labor moNeIleH' i. .l.e
interim OF national conventions. ana mas re-
cefved instructions regarding various suoJectS
of legislation in the interests OF labor as vel
q Of executive aCLons-~Ihere are several Nuo-
se0+s Which have been committed 10 our care
and which We desire 10 bring 10 your attenCon
r-ith re hone OF receiving your sympathetic
support Then. again. the controversy OF W
A Miller who was dismissed from the PUBIC
service and reinstated by your order, mas been
srbr1itted 10 US. Having these facts in mind
the executive council selected sub-comrnlttee
Coz rbe purpose of having an interview with
you at which time these matters may oe gone
over with YOU The members OF the committee
e,e lanes Duncan. John Mitchell. James O'Con-
neil. Frank Morrison and Samuel Gompers.
We learn that you viii return TO washington
IN Nondav. September =. and ask you whether
W., car accord the committee an interview. IN
asn1uch as Mr.. Mitchell has engagements wnlcn
viii require him TO leave on Tuesday evening
Cer.sr,be- % and as We desire his presence,
vrs hone that you may set time before his de-
parture-
When asked II the interview with President
Roosevelt was satisfactory, MI Gompers re-
r1ed that the President had expressed hearty
sentiments in favor OF the eight hour workday
and the anti-injunction movement, but, pressed
for = statement as TO whether the action Of the
President was satisfactory on the Miller case.
ne said il would be absolutely Impossible FOR
him 70 express an opinion on that subject He
said that no further conferences had been ar
ranged for
At this point Mr.. Duncan. one OF the labor
leaders broke in and said that the Presidents
statement must not be considered as an an
suer 10 any questions arising in the discussion.
As the President had prepared his statement in
advance and had read IL az the beginning OF the
conference.
The I've members OF the executive council
mentioned in the letter OF Mr.. Gompers 10 the
Continued fourth page.
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