The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-10-01
American Federation Says That
He FavOrs Union Labor to
NOnuniOn.
DECISION QUALIFIED.
Affects Only Direct Employment
of Labor by Federal Govern
ment, as Circumscribed by
Federal Laws.

Washington. Sept SO.-The Executive
Council OF the American Federation Il
Labor tonight issued an address TO or
gRnized labor Of American" in which Il
IS asserted that President Roosevelt. in
the conference held at the White House
Tuesday night. declared that he favors
union labor in any form OF employment
save that expressly cIrcumscribed by the
laws OF the United States. including the
civil service laws. and that he believes
union labor 10 be preferable to nonunion
or open shops"
The address IN part Is as follows:
in connection With the meeting OF the
Executive Council. and by appointment. a
conference was held with the President OF
the United States for the purpose OF dis
cussing important labor legislation. The
eight-hour bill was considered at length.
the President stating that his mind had
not changed on that form OF legislation
since he had favored Il as Governor Of
New York State. and. therefore. was IA
vorable to the passage OF the proposed act
'On the anti-injunction bill. in response
to questions submitted. the President re-
piled that the subject would have his
most careful and earnest attention.
PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE.
'Other important questions affecting
legislation. as per decision Of last conven-
tion. were taken up. and. on behalf OF the
International Bookblnders' Union. the
Miller case was discussed. The Executive
Council brought 10 the Presidents atten-
tion the manner in which his decision had
been quoted. and. in addition. 10 the re-
iationship OF Mr.. Miller to the bookblnd-
ers' union. as brought forth in the
charges against him. the "open-shOp" idea
was carefully considered.
Replying 10 statements on the subject.
President Roosevelt set forth that. in his
decision. he had nothing in mind but a
strict compliance with the Federal stat
utes, including the civil-service law. and
that he recognized a difference between
employment by the Government circum-
scribed by those laws. and any other form
of employment. and that his decision In
the Miller case should not be understood
30 have any other effect or influence than
affecting direct employment by the Gov
ernment IN accordance Herewith.
He furthermore made plain that. in any
form OF employment excepting that so cir
cumscribed. he believed the full employ
ment OF union men was preferable either
10 nonunion or open shops.
In view Of the publicity given this sub
ject the executive council OF the A. F. OF
l.. takes this opportunity TO say that the
trades union movement stands for strictly
union shops. experience having proved
that where the open shop system has
been tried. reduction in wages and profits
have ensued. with general disaster TO the
Industry prscticfng tnat system and there
fore declares that the best interests OF the
Ia sbor movement calls for the employment
OF union workers and discourages. In every
way. shape and form. the deterioTating
effects which follow the recognition Of the
'opsn shops
The toiling masses, and particularly the
orzanized wage earners. cannot. must not
and viii not surrender ole Jot OF that
which they have secured must organize
she yet unorgani1ed. unite. and federate
those already organized TO present solid
phalanV OF the grand army OF labor in
earnest and emphatic protests against 1u-
dicial usurpatiOn or capitalistic invasion
OF our rights attempted no matter by
whom or from whatsoever source"