The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-05
Foreman Miller and Several Members
of the Bookbinders' Union May
He the Victims.
METHODS IN VOGUE ARE OLD
TYPEsETTING MACHINES MAY BE
USED FOR SOME WORK.
Board Also of Opinion that the
Unions Task" System should
BE Abolished.
peci.l to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4-Sweeping
changes in the personnel and conduct or the
Government Printing Office will soon be in
troduced. if President Roosevelt acts in
accordance with recommendations just SUBJ
mitted to him by a board of officers ap-
pointed by Secretary Cortelyou. of the De-
partment of Commerce. This board. COM
posed of Mr.. Garfield. commissioner OF cor
porations. Mr.. Sargent, commissioners OF
immigration. and Frank Palmer. public
printer, made a thorough investigation of
the Government Printing Office in accord
ance with directions from Secretary Cor
telyou. who has acted for the President in
the controversy with the international
Brotherhood of Bookbinders.
Messrs. Garfield and Sargent inquired
into the personnel and administration OF
the Government Printing Office. Their rec
concentrations are substantially as follows:
That changes be made in personnel and
methods: that machinery be introduced 20
a limited extent; that the office be brought
up to date in every respect; that the task"
system of the unions be abolished.
In the Miller case, which was investigated
by Public Printer Palmer, definite infor-
nation cannot be obtained. The impress
sion is that Millers dismissal is recon-
mended. In Miller's reply TO the charges
preferred against him by the local uniorN
certain leaders were involved. They, too,
it is understood. will feel the sharp blade
of the headman's ak. a.
The whole case is now up TO the lpresi-
dent for action. There is no disposition on
the part of the administration TO antago-
nize labor unions represented in the Gov
far the largest in the world, is about to be
transferred TO building which cost nearly
one million dollars. The board finds that
the methods i'm vogue in the Government
Printing Office are behind the times, that
in some departments the unions fix the
amount of work each day, that in certain
classes of composition machines could be
used to advantage.
Conservative labor leaders I'm Washington
are inclined TO approve the changes sug-
gested for the Government Printing Office.
They say that modern methods and ma
chinery should be part of the institution.
On the other hand. even the suggestion
of machines is severely condemned by GER
tain leaders, and il Is certain that IL they
are introduced great deal of bitterness
will deveiop among the rank and file of the
labor organizations. The problem is a del
icate one, but President Roosevelt will act
firmly in the course that he follows.
Great interest attaches to the Miller case.
Miller was restored TO the government serv-
ice by direct order of the President. This
act was condemned by the local union.
and, for time. a strike was threatened.
w nen II was polAtcu Oub mat no OttttE
course was open to the President under .he
law the tslK of strike subsided. More or
derly methods of treating the situation
were adopted. Charges were filed against
Miller. but far can be learned they
are largely of "A personal nature. IL is
expected President Roosevelt will announce
his decision in both cases in the immediate
future. II a policy of undermining the
Government Printing Office is adopted IL
will probably be introduced gradually. That
the printing office will be an "open shop"
more less, in the future is the general
belief here.