The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-26
MILLER REPORTS FOR DUTY.
NO STRIKE OF THE GOV ERNMENT
BOOkBINDERS FOLLOWED.
They Await the Decision OF the Int erna tional
Offlcers or tho Brotherhood Inquiry
10 he Made 10 Ascertain 10 what
Extent Labor Unions AYect work
I'm tine Government Printing OTfice.


10 he Made 20 Ascertain 10 VIVA
Extent Labor Unions Anect wOrl
I'm the Government Printing ONCE
WASHINGTON, July 25.--The disclosures il
connection with the case Of W. A. Miller
assistant foreman Of the bindery OF the
Government Printing Office, will, II ii
learned Tonight, lead to complete in
vestigation of conditions in the great
printing establishment. II was discovered
to-day that the foreman Of the pressroom
II. C. Mcfarland, was recently called ia
account by the local pressmen's union FOL
offences similar TO those charged against
Miller by members Of the local Brother
hood OF Bookbinders.
Charges were made against Mcfarland
at the last meeting Of the union, but had not
been disposed of when the action OF the
President In ordering the reinstatement
| OF Miller became known. II is said that
the Pressmen's Union determined to await
the outcome Of the case against Miller
| Other matters connected with the printing
Office have also been brought to the atten-
ton of high officials, and a thorough in
T! Quiry has been determined upon to ascer-
tain to what extent the labor unions are
influencing the work Of the establishment.
Miller reported for duty this morning
shortly after 10 o'clock. There was no
strike of the employees, although it was
| plain that he was not at all welcome. The
action Of the Bookbinders' Union at its
meeting last night was responsible for the
| attitude Of the workmen. This action was
communicated to Public Printer Palmer
this morning In the following letter.
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF
BooKniNDERs.
Local Union. No. 4.
WAsHiSoToS. July rs 1908.
To Hon. +. ". Palmer, Pubic PRIMER.
DEAR SIR: At meeting OF Local Union
No. 4. held last night. the Arbitration Com
mittee was instructed to confer with the
International officers of the brotherhood
the officers OF the Allied Printing Trades
Council and the officers OF the American
Federation OF Labor. looking to an adjust
ment OF the issue now facing US. Pending
this adjustment, the members OF our union
will be permitted to work with ". A. Miller
under protest. our Difference to the order
OF the President Of the United States and the
Federal law compelling us to take this course
Respectfully.
JAMES A. SroCKMAS. Secretary,
Mr.. Miller did not remain long in the
bindery. He formally resumed his position
as assistant foreman by presenting an order
from Foreman Byrne directing him "
relieve Peter Frank. who had been acting
assistant foreman since his suspension.
After q short time in the place he left for
the day, with tho understanding that he
would return 10 work Monday. Whether
he will continue in his position pending the
Public Printer Palmer has not yet been de-
terinined. SO far the entire matter Ia in
very unsettled state.
The Bookbinders Union having deter
mined not TO press the question OF his sus-
pension pending their conferences looking
TO an adjustment Of the matter, it il prob
able that he may actively resume his duties
Of the new accusations against him war;
rants his suspension pending their investi-
CATION. Officers Of the International
Brotherhood were expected In Washington
to-day. but did not arrive.
IL 10 now thought that they will be- here
tomorrow morning and conferences have
been arranged for tomorrow. when Some
line OF action will be agreed upon by the
international officers Of the brotherhood,
the officers OF the Allied Printing Trades
Council and the officers Of The american
Federation OF Labor
Inc COnIPEeNCN DetWetn tIle Officers OF
the different labor organizations will have
no bearing on the charges filed against
Miller with Public Printer Palmer but will
relate entirely 20 the position to be taken
by the workrnan in the Government Print
ing Office durin z the Public Printers in
vestigution of ifese charges, ard later
in the event that Miller Is not removed.
do not relate entirely TO Mr. Miller's viola
ton Of the rules OF he BookbinCleis' Union.
and tho bookbinders nope 10 secure the
assistant ioreman's removal upon accusa-
tions foreign to his official actions. These
charges il is said relate 20 his general
conduct, and il will he for Mr.. Palmer to
determine their ser!ousEess and their
truthYulnesa.
Miller says that any new charges aro
merely used by the bookbipders az second
handle with which TO lay him out officially.
and that, as a matter Of fact, the reel reason
for the attitude of the Bookbinders' Union
is his determine ton to run the bindery
with honest results 10 the Government.
notwithstanding the rules OF the Book
binders Union
The official correspondence relating 70
the removal Of Miller by Public Printer
Palmer contains number Of statements
from Miller and extracts from the test-
mony Of members OF the Arbitration Com
mlttee of the local union, who represented
the workmen before the Public Printer
md who preferred charges against Miller
both to Mr., Palmer and 20 their labor
organization
In one letter Mr.. Miller expla ins that the
Post Office Department requested less
expensive binding for certain books, and
he had samples made OF binding which
effected saving OF s2,50O on the work on
hand, or an estimated saving Of IS, 900 on a
years work. The Bo0kbinders' Union took
exception to Miller's right TO furnish the
snmples of cheaper binding, and Miller in
his letter save:
sThey preferred charges against me in
their society under the gliise of requesting
men on another class Of work to do more
work, which they claimed was violation
Of their constitution The evidence in this
case Of Robert ID. Barrett, the principal
cheapening Of this Post Office Department
work. I will quote the charge as lodged,
and a portion Of His evidence:
"Charge: Violating that part of the oh
legation which forbids a member by word
or deed cndeavoring to injure the interests
Of any member of the society.
Ing the members employed on the work.
known aa the members reserves, 70 do four
teen books per day. knowing those members
were ns'ructed by the union not to exceed
terests OF your fellow members"
The testimony quoted by Mr.. Miller in his
correspondence ia that given by members
of the Arbitration Committee In his trial
by the union on the charge Of cheapening
work in the blndery. President Barrett
Of the Bookbinders Union was the principal
witness against Miller. He told how he
referred the charges 10 the secretary to call
n meeting Of the Board OF Arbitration" for
their consideration.
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