The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-21
IOCONSIDER THE MILLER CASE
LABOR LEADERS WILL MEET IN
WASHINGTON TO-DAY.
John Mitchell 10 One Of Them--Will Decide
whether . Formal Demand Shall Be
Made on the President 70 Dismiss
Miller From the Printing once


Made on the President 70 Dismiss
Miller From the Printing once
WASHINGTON. Sept 2O.--John Mitchell
and several lesser lights in the labor world
arrived in Washington to-day to be on
hand al the meeting of the executive council
OF the American Federation OF Labor.
which will be held tomorrow. This ex-
ecutive council ia charged with the prepare
ton Of programme and consideration OF
matters to come up at the convention OF
the American Federation to be held IN
Boston some weeks hence.
The most important matter to come
before the labor leaders will be the case
OF Foreman W. A. Miller OF the Govern
ment Printing Office. The question to be
considered is whether organized labor
shall make a formal demand upon Presi-
dent Roosevelt TO dismiss Miller on the
charges brought by the Washington Central
Labor Union.
The Central Labor Union has taken the
initiative in calling the attention OF labor
unions throughout the country to the Miller
case and President Roosevelt's attitude
concerning 1t. The resolutions adopted
by the Central Union declare President
Roosevelt's order OF mo discrimination
to be unfriendly, and practically demand Of
him change Of front, to be proved by the
discharge OF Miller and modification Of
his order making the Government Printing
Office an open shop"
John Mitchell was asked tonight what
the executive council would do in the
Miller case. He declined to discuss the
- IN nj, oto rNy p nj
Morrison Of the American Federation said
the case would probably be called up by
member Of the council and discussed,
hut he did not indicate what the America n
Federation officers thought Of it.
The labor leaders realize the gravity Of
fight which must lead, in effect. to a
direct issue between the Government and
union labor. They are extremely con.
sentative in discussing the subject, and
are apparently far from being pleased
with the dilemma that confronts them.
Apparently there is no loophole OF es-
cape from consideration OF the matter
The pressure from local unions every
where is growing stronger daily for test
of strength between organized labor and
the Government as an employer. The
more prominent leaders here are well
enough informed to fear the outcome of
SuCn IlRut, Duu ii tHty are W ictditi 'Htii
places at the front they feel that they must
in a measure, listen to the demands of
their followers.
As the situation stands in the Government
Printing Office union men are working side
by side with non-union men, in violation
OF the constitution Of the labor unions.
Some of the leaders declare that this anoma-
| lous state OF affairs cannot long continue.
Logically the union workmen at the Gov
| eminent Printing Office must leave their
| union or strike. They are afraid to do
| either, and are anxiously waiting for the
| mandate of the American Federation,
The Federation has before it the clean
| cut alternative Of amending the consti-
| tutions OF labor unions so as to permit
( union men to work beside non-union men,
| and thus emasculate their unions, or OF
making a demand upon President Roose-
| welt to modify his mo discrimination
order.
If this demand is made it must be made
| in cognizance of the fact that refusal will
| force the American Federation to throw
| it's whole strength against the Government
! al an employer Of labor. Ii the American
Federation of Labor stronger than the
Government in fight to a finish? That Is
| the question that makes the labor leaders
pause.