The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-21
MAY DECIDE TO
CALL A STRIKE
Government Bookbinders Are Much
Wrought Up Over the Rein
statement Of Miller.
They Will Meet Tonight to Discuss
Matters and Adopt a Plan
Of Action.
From The Journal Bureau, Room 45, Post Build
ing Washington. s*s

From The Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build
ing, Washington. So
4 Washington. July 21.-Members of the
local bookbinders' union are much exer-
Fcised over the action Of President Roose-
welt in ordering the reinstatement of
w. A. Miller Of 1887 Harriet avenue s,
Minneapolis, as assistant foreman of bind
ing in the government printing office,
pending a further investigation of his
case Some Of the hot-headed members
Of the union are talking Of ordering a
strike, but more conservative ones are
counseling moderation. The whole mat
ter is to be discussed at special meet
ing of the union called by President Bar
rett for tonight.
President Barrett himself would not
discuss the case when seen by ] our
n al man to-day. Neither would Sec
rotary Stockman. Former president J. L.
Feeney, who is also editor Of the official
paper, said that there might not be a
strike, but that If one was ordered it
would be backed by the entire Interna-
.tional Association Of Bookbinders, which
| Includes binders in every city Of the
country.
| ''We are confident that we will win our
fight against Miller" said Mr.. Feeney.
| "He was expelled from the union because
he made false and misleading statements
about the amount Of work being done in
the office. giving the public to under
I
six hours a day and is not allowed to leave
the office until the expiration of that
| time no matter whether he has finished
/ his task or not. Miller has also made
statements in letters and thru the press
rejecting upon his superiors in Office, and
4 that believe is the question being inves-
! tigated We think he will be dismissed
from the service. Miller has been a dis
4 turbing element in the office for a long
time, and when the case is fully under
stood by the president or the official he
has designated to make a further investi-
|gation, his removal from the service will
be ordered
Public Printer Palmer said he had not
seen nor heard from Miller since he was
ordered reinstated. When asked II ne
had considered the question Of strike
of the binders, his answer was:
st don't believe there is going to be =
strike.
n commerce and labor who is Pres1den
Roosevelt personal representative in thi:
Investigation said there would be nothing
II further to give out about the Miller case
flor some days. Mr.. Cortelyou refused tt
a give specific information as to the nature
of MiIler's second communication, lnves
: tigation Of which was begun July 13. There
! was an intimation that it reflected upo1
{ Public Printer Palmer and other official!
Of the printing office. John L. Kennedy
formerly a member Of the Industrial com
ii mission, who was appointed to that posi-
q tion by President Mckinley, was the repre-
: sentative Of the labor organizations HI
said that in his opinion there would be NJ
strike of the binders, but that II Miller i
retained, after the investigation is con
cluded a place will be created for him.
/ President Barrett and Secretary Com
stock Of the local bookbinders' unio1
were not at their places In the govern
| G4i1, No hyYf r1ynr ~
e consulting with other labor 1eaders an
: with members Of the union in other gov
' | eminent, department, and private print
:. ing Offices They would not say any
o thing as to the nature Of their extrem
: activity, further than to admit that
!, had to do with the Miller case. Their
q are SIS members Of the union in this cit
: and 1t is desired to have full attend
: ance at the meeting tonight. In orde
that all may be accommodated, arrange
ments were made to hire a large hall, tn
hall in Typographical Temple in whic
regular meetings are held being too small
How Miller Won out
Mr.. Mfl1er's victory has been prophesie
/ by him ever since he became involved
IS difficulties with the bookbtnders' union
If the Washington office. When he went 1
8. work there he found that the unions cuI
: tailed the output Of the government
g office and he refused to be bound by til
= unions restrictions. The Internations
Brotherhood of Bookbinders immedfatel
took his membership card away; and Pub
lie Printer Palmer removed him becaus
{, he was a non union man.
l. Satisfied that he had good case, M
J. Miller referred the matter to the nation
IL chief executive, thru the civil service CON
"a mission. This commission requested h
r reinstatement on July 6, asserting thu
a his removal was in violation of the civ
service rules.
In response to the complaint Presidel
Roosevelt wrote the following litter undo
3, date Of July 8:
10 On the face of the papers presented, Mill
IS would appear to have been removed in Violate
IL Of law. There Is no objection to employees
On the government printing office constituting thef
e. selves into body If they desire to do So, b
s. no rules or regulation can be permitted to owe
81 o. sworn duty to enforce: Please communicate
information and that of his subordinates."s
w. w. Jermane.