The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26
GOVERNMENT SHOP IS
OPEN TO ALL PRINTERS
NOn-UniOn Men Can Work
for Uncle Sam.
WIDE SCOPE OF ULTlMATUM
Presidents Order a Blow to Union La
Dor, Regardless Of Further Action
in Miller Case

President Barrett, of the local book
binders union, admitted yesterday that
the reinstatement of w. A Miller as
assistant foreman in the Government
Printing Office had the effect of declaring
that office an "open shop" in which any
one certified as having the proper quail
fications might work. whether he be-
longed to a union or not. This admis-
sion was the most important develop
ment of the day. excepting Miller's
formal return to work, and is. in fact.
the real key 10 the situation.
1t matters not IL Miller is discharged
again by Mr. Palmer, after the charges
preferred against him by the union have
been heard and Miller's answer has
been considered. The question OF the
power of the labor unions in the Gov
eminent Printing Office has been set
tied b. Millor's reinstatement From
this time forward the power. long held
by the unions will be diminished. If
not entirely destroyed.
Unions Losing Power.
Already the effects of the PRESIDENT
prompt action in the case are being felt.
II is known that there is considerable
dissatisfaction in the union ranks, and
prominent member of the bookbind-
ers' union admitted frankly to a Times
reporter yesterday that the union is up
against it." Some Of those who have
never been strong union men. but wns
joined because they felt they could not
hold their positions II they were not IN
the ranks. are now talking Of getting
out
This talk is particularly prevalent
among the women who belong to the
auxiliary union, which was organized
only after two years hard work Many
Of its members are far from enthusi-
astic. and If they find they can stay in
the Government Printing Office without
fear Of molestaticn as non union work
ers they are apt to resign from the
union and save the dues.
! 1t is difficult TO estimate the moral
effect that has been produced upon the
union leaders By President RooseveIt's
request to Secretary Cortelyou that he
/ inform himself as to the cost OF limo
I type machines. which. if introduced in
/ to the Printing Office. Will be the
means of depriving 3.OCO men OF their
/ positions.
Blame Public Printer.
! Some OF the union men are blaming
the Public Printer for writing the let
ter in which he said Miller was dis
] charged from the Printing Office be-
cause he had been expelled from the
union. II publicity had not been giver
I 20 the case all this trouble would have
been averted and the backbone Of their
: power would not have been broken. As
/ IL is. the blow was struck almost before
/ they knew what had happened, and il
I has taken the majority OF them some
I days 10 realize that whatever the out
come of the Miller case. the Govern
ment Printing Office IS from this time
on open"
! Until the case is settled nothing car
be said as to the Intentions OF the union
! The union has assured Mr.. Palmer thai
it viii not strike for the present, bat
makes no absolute promise as 10 the fu.
| ture. and. indeed. no such promise car
/ be given until action is taken by the ex.
: ecutive council. When all the MEMBER
OF that body arrive in Washinton thel
will consider the case, and If the de
cision IS in favor OF Miller It is up to
I the executive council to handle a knotty
problem.
II the union men continue to worl
I they will be breaking the union law no
only by working with a non union man
but enc who has been expelled from tn
union They will also be working in al
open shop" /. VIII be incumbent upol
the executive council to 90 one OF tw,
things-either reconcile their laws to tn
! present situation or back down la tn
face of the Presidents ultimatum, in tn
Issuance of which Mr. Roosevelt is sup
ported By the Civil Service Commission
MUTiN0uS C0NVlCTS