Middletown transcript., 1903-10-05
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, October 5th, 1905


ORESIDENT Roosevelt is receiving
many congratulations for the firm and
skillful manner in which he dealt with
the labor problem involved in the Miller
controversy. The day following his re-
turn to Washington he held conference
with committee OF the American Fed
Grafton of Labor at which were discussed
many bills which union labor intend to
bring before Congress. The question of
Foreman Miller was also mentioned and
the President took the opportunity to
inform the labor leaders that his attitude
on the subject had remained unchanged
and that the decision which he was
about to give the public was final. After
a conference statement was given out
from the White House in which the Pres
ident declared that the laws of the land
forbid and discrimination between union
and nonunion men in the employ OF the
government, and that he could no more
decide against man because he did not
belong to union, than because he was
Catholic or Protestant, white or black,
Jew or Gentle. For this reason Miller
would not be dismissed on the charges
made by the Bookbinders Union, and
the Government Printing Office as well
as all other government bureaus which
employ laborers would remain open shops.
The labor leaders were evidently disap-
pointed in the Presidents decision but in
statement which they issued the next
day. "To Organized Labor of America"
they refrained from any direct criticism
of the Administration although they de-
clared that union labor stood firm for the
principle of "union shops" 1t is be-
lieved that John Mitchell whom the
President aided during the anthrocite
coal strike and who took luncheon at the
White House on the day of the conference,
used his influence to induce the leaders
to adopt conservative course. As far as
the Administration is concerned, the in
cident is now closed. Among many
others here who applaud the Presidents
action, Senator Stewart Of Nevada said,
''I told him that if he wins this fight he
now has on his hands he will be immor-
tai. If 100000 Of men are able to con-
troll 60,OOO,OOO of people the death of the
Republic is at hand.
~
Among the most recent visitors at the
White House was Mr.. Robert P. Skinner,
United States Counsul General at Marsei-
lies, France, who is now in Washington
making final arrangements for his trip
into Abyssinia. He goes there to invite
King Menelik to the st. Louis Exposition
and at the same time to induce the Afri-
can monarch to make commercial agree
ment with the United States. He will
bring to His Majesty message Of friend
ship and high esteem from President
Roosevelt and will attempt to establish
diplomatic relations with this country
which is already good purchaser of
American goods. Mr.. Skinner says that
one third of the goods which are imported
in Abyssinia come from the United States
and that the imports of American cotton
goods alone amount to $5,OO0,O00 an
nually. We get from Menelik's people
ivory, hides, carpet woods and other raw
materials. An American war ship will
take the consul to the African coast and
he will be furnished with an escort of
United States mariners on his trip over
land. He hopes to reach the capital OF
Abyssinia some time in November.
~
Official social and diplomatic circles in
Washington were much grieved last We'd
nesday to hear that Sir Michael Herbert,
the British Ambassador to this country,
had died in Switzerland of consumption.
Sir Michael had been ill for some time.
but he hoped to recover his health in
Switzerland and return here this fall.