The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-19

Shall bc NO DISCRIMINATION wade.
WASHINGTON, Aug, ls.--An investigation
ordered by the President is in progress
in each department OF the Government
with the principle laid down by the Anthra-
cite Coal Strike Commission. shat no person
shall he refused employment or in any way
Disseminated against on account of mem
bership or non-membership in any labor
organization.
President Roosevelt in his letter to
Secretary Cortelyou in regard to the case
Of Assistant Foreman Miller OF the Govern
ment Printing Office, said:
at is. Of course, mere elementary de-
cancv to require that all the Government
departments shall be handled in accordance
with the principles thus clearly and fear
lessly enunciated.'
Al The time this letter was written the
labor organizations failed to Gee it's appli-
cation to all the departments OF the Cow
eminent and we're only Immediately con-
cerned with the case Of Miller They hoped
10 quiet the storm that was brewing by an
acouiescence In Millers return to employ
ment and since then have refrained from
pushing the charges against Miller.
President Roosevelt has been receiving
reports, however. which indicated that the
Determination against persons not be-
longing to labor organizations was not
confined 70 the Government Printing Office,
and he determined upon n thorough inves-
legation by the heads of all Government
departments.
lie called into consultation Secretary
Cortelyou OF the Department Of Commerce
and Labor and later discussed the subject
with Secretary Moody, Secretary Root,
Secretary Hitchcock and Postmaster Cen
eral Payne. There was a short conference
by some Of these Cabinet officers, and they
decided TO carry out the Presidents wishes
and order an investigation in their re-
spective branches OF the Government to
learn whether the practice has been to re-
fuse employment to persons not connected
with labor organizations.
1t has developed that in many cases such
was the practice. it being generally uncer
stood by some Of the officials that only
union men were to get employment
When tho reports showing this condition
in some Of the departments was brought TO
the attention Of the President he imme-
diately directed that the finding of the Coal
Strike Commission be rigidly adhered to
by all officials. He instructed Secretary
Moody to zee that In all tho navy yards
employment was refused no man because he
wns not a member ora iaoor- organization,
and at the same time II the union man
desired. he could work alongside his nom
union brother.
The announcement of this policy was
also made by the Secretary of War in official
communications to officers of the army
having Government work in charge and it
was learned to-day that the President now
has under consideration the question Of
extending the same policy to cover all
Government work.
This would mean that in all the shipyards
work on Government vessels could be
performed by either union or non-union
men, and that having committed the Adj
ministration to the principle stated, and
10 the further finding Of the strike COM
mission, that there shall be no discrimina-
ton against, or interference with, any en-
ployee who Is not member Of any labor
organization by members of such organiza-
rion, it would be the duty Of the Govern
ment TO protect the workmen in their
rights.
Acting under the Presidents Instructions
Secretary Root and Secretary Moody
made their Investigations as complete as
possible and left no part Of the army and
navy unprobed. The orders Of the Secre-
tary Of War extended the investigation into
the gun factories of the Ordnance Bureau,
into the shops controlled by the Quarter
masters Department and included the
Soldiers Homes of the country, every one
Of which was called upon for complete
report on the use Of labor and to answer
Inc question whether it was the practice TO
discriminate against an applicant for work
II he happened not to be connected with
any labor organization.
At the same time the officers were in
structed that they should practise no dis
elimination and that an applicant who
did not belong to labor organization
should receive the same treatment as one
VINO Qld.
In the Navy Department the investiga-
ZION reached into every navy yard, all the
Government docks and coaling stations,
and Secretary Moody made quiet
inquiry to determine what the practice
was in the commercial shipyards with
reference to the employment of union and
non-union men.
The reports received at the Navy De-
partment showed that nearly all delays in
the construction of ships we're chargeable
10 the strikes of employees, and this being
serious matter to the Government the
question has arisen whether the principles
eruncisted by the President in his letter
10 Mr. Cortelyou should not apply to Gov
eminent work being done by private con-
tract.
An official OF one of the departments ex-
planned to-day that it would be an easy
matter to extend the policy announced !
oy the President to private contracts by |
merely placing within each contract made |
oy the Government a clause calling att ention |
70 the fact that discrimination against |
union or non-union workmen should not |
DO permitted on work for the Government
IL was admitted to-day by several officers |
mat the President has determined that in |
no branch OF the Government shall there |
oe any disorimin alton against applicants |
or work by reason OF their not being MEM |
oors OF labor organization, and that while |
no recognizes that the labor organizations
may make serious opposition to the appli-
cation Of this Drincinla tn all Gnvarnnnant