Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-24

actual control Of the Office is in the hands
OF the union.
They do not make any threats. but SIM
ply say that If William A. Miller returns
70 % Work IN the ofice every man and woman
member OF the union will walk out They
ADMIT that they cannot prevent Miller from
taking the place to which he has been re-
lnstated. but they can quit work and thus
paraiyze one OF the most important
branches of the governmental service
Being thoroughly organized, and having
the sympathy of the allied trades unions
as well as that Of the great Federation of
Labor the bookbfnders have the power to
cripple the immense business of the print
ing oince for the sake of a principle in
Volvlng the men OF a single union"
The Presidents Attitude.
Another official who is deeply Interested
III the controversy said that organized labor
mad no better friend than President Roose-
Velt, out that he had done his duty in en-
forcing the laws as he found them. and that
'he remedy was in the hands of the people,
OF which the bookbinders are unit and
not in those of the executive whose sworn
DUTY 1t was to enforce them
president Roosevelt will never swerve
from ~ What ne knows to be his duty" said
thiS offlcfal but l believe that he is any
1ous to conciliate the book binders If he can
90 so In strict accordance with law This
concillatiOn would not come through fear
VI any consequences that they might be
aple TO provoke by their actions but he
cause, as have said he is a real friend of
organized labor. But organized labor can
not expect to control important branches of
IN. me government system. and 1 do not be-
Leve that the bookbinders wish to do so
The trouble lies in the fact that their
ruies conflict with the laws of the United
states, and the laws of any labor union
shouid De subservient to those of the ma
uona! Union. The men see this am sure
put II they are forced to a final issue and
Vote 70 walk out tomorrow upon the return
or Miller they will do to stand by their
constitution and a principle"
What Secretary Cortelyou Said.
secretary Cortelyou told the committee
that called upon him with the protest of
the bookbinders union that 1t was for nei-
ther the President nor his office to con-
slider 1t at this time. but that 1t now was a
matter for adjustment by the public
printer. There is no limit set upon the time
in which the public printer shall take up
the protest for his consideration and
action. but it is thought that he will lose
no time in doing so.
statement from the office OF Mr. Palmer
was to the effect that he had not yet read
the paper filed with him by the bookbinders
and relating to the reinstatement of Miller,
and that he would read and consider it at
his leisure. 1t is generally believed. how
ever. that he is anxious to settle the
controversy as any one and that he will
take whatever action he intends to In the
matter within a very few days. Whether
this action will be taken in time to avoid a
precpita ton of the trouble is doubtful the
meeting of the union called for tonight
being significant of immediate action.
Some of the members of the union are of
the belief that at this meeting it will be
decided to call upon the public printer and
ask his immediate consideration of the pro-
test, In which event. and his acquiescence
in that proposition, a strike could be
avoided.
Calls for the meeting were posted con-
spicuously throughout the printing office
expected.