Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-02
Discussing the Presidents
"0pen Shop" Declaration.
VIEWS OF REPUBLICANS
DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AN ISSUE
WILL BE MADE OF IT.
Think He is as Strong With the Labor
Interests and More Esteemed by
Business interests.

The prevailing sentiment among prom
nent republicans who have been In TINS
city recently is that the controversy over
the question of the open shop In the
government printing Office and the rein
statement on the order of President Roose-
Welt of William A: Miller as a foreman IN
the bindery division of that office, now has
no political significance. except to make
stronger than ever the candidacy OF Mr.
Roosevelt for the nomination for President
by the next national republican convention.
These republicans do not believe this
controversy will cost the President any
votes in the ranks Of organized labor, while
they are convinced that his prompt ana
decisive action in the matter has advanced
him greatly in the estimation OF business
interests throughout the country. viewed
as a striking evidence of his ability and
readiness to to deal with great national
questions without fear of the consequences
when adverse to some factions OF organ
lied labor. it has counterbalanced, In their
opinion his action in the case OF the an
thracite coal strike. which was very
agreeable to trade unionism and was Of
fensiye to some men prominent In industrial
life.
Belief Of Republicans.
Republicans are satisfied that no effect
adverse to the candidacy of the President
for the nomination can come from TINS
controversy, because they are satisfied that
any further discussion of his action VIII
be convincing that what he DID was the
only thing that could have been considered
under the law. They are satisfied that
neither his enemies in the republican party
nor the democrats could bring up this con-
troversy in a discussion Of his htness lor
the nomination and election with any nope
tc injure him.
They do not believe the democrats would
be willing to make an issue of this action
of the President, even II the atutuoe VI
the leaders of organized labor was IN oppo,
sition to the action of the President instead
of being in agreement to 1t SO far as the
application of the open shop loea 10 Inc
government printing office is concerned.
1t is believed that If they were to make
such an issue with the intention OF prevent
ing republican success at the polls the re-
suit would be to help his candidacy ana
election. The fact that prominent demo-
Gratis have not commented on the Presl-
garded as an indication that the democrats
do not believe 1t is wise to take issue with
him.
Endorsement of Unioniso.
The belief that the controversy will not
figure In politics is forcibly entertained. be-
cause of the confident opinion that when
the convention of the American Federation
of Labor meets in Boston on the 9Th of No
vember there will be no action unfavorable
to the Presidents attitude. Indeed, the
fact that Mr.. Roosevelt. according to the
representations of the executive council OF
the Federation Of Labor, expressed his
opinion that the best results In the business
world could be obtained by employing union
labor is expected to strike the delegates
with a great deal Of favor.
This Endorsement of trades unionlsm, II
is thought. will have beneficial moral Ell
feet on such interests. 1t is declared that
it will do much to lessen whatever efforts
may be made by the radical element In the
convention to take issue with the open
shop" idea even as applied to the govern
ment printing office.