The Washington times., 1903-07-27
MILLER AT WORK
IN MAIN OFFICE
Not Assigned to Former
Post at Branch.
GENERAL SECRETARY HERE
Union Representatives in Constant Con-
misunderstanding Move of Ad-
ministration Officials.

The arrival in Washington OF James
w. Dougherty. general secretary OF the
International Union of Bookbinders. who
reached the city last night. marks the
only development in the situation at the
Government Printing Office. The general
condition Of affatls WITH regard to the
reinstatement OF W. A Miller as as
sistant foreman in the bookbinders de-
partment indicates that the situation
will remain unchanged until further
action on the part of the Public Printer
and Secretary Cortelyou.
Miller is at work today in the main
Office. instead OF at the branch Office
in the Union building. where he report
/ ed for duty on Saturday in assuming
duties at the main office. Miller Is oc-
cupying the Dcstion he held originally
before he was assigned 70 the branch
Office, namely. that OF assistant fore
man in charge OF one OF the three divi-
sions In the bookbinding department.
| There viii be a conference tonight be-
tween the officers OF the local Bookbind-s
ers' Union and Il e general secretary Of
the union. James W. Dougherty.
Tomorrow the vice president OF the
union. Robert T. Giocxsng. is expected
from Toronto TO take charge OF the
situation The officers OF the local
union will be guided entirely BY the
counsel OF the general officers
Miller Talks.
When seen by Times reporter this
morning Miller was performing the
duties OF his Office.
"An 1 know" he said. ''is that I am
back at work, and so far as l am con-
cerned that means that / am reinstated.
My case is closed. From now on the
I bookbinders' union Is Up against the
United States Government
II have never bothered the union What
ever 1 did to dIspIease them was done
| In the discharge OF ny duties as SER
want OF the Cover Tnment- always treat
ed the men we'll. tnt acted uzea coa-
siderations OF duty toward my employ
ers. as 1 saw It, Just as 1 would have
cone had l been working for a privste
concern
Across the street from the Printing
Office the arbitration committee and
Secretary Dougherty have been hard at
work all the morning, but none OF them
would talk about their plans for the fu-
ture.
Awaiting Action.
I ..Our case is before the Public Print
err" said Mr.. Barrett. president OF the
Ioca. Union. ''Our charges are filed and
we are awaiting action on the part OF
Mr.. Palmer
When this action viii be taken no one
can say. Mr.. Palmer himself was seen
| by a Times reporter, but declined to
say when he would take uD the charges
the union has fled against Miller. It
/ is thought. however. that it will not be
long before they are given consideration.
Members OF the union confess they are
puzzled as to the probable action OF the
executive council They declare there
is no chance OF a strike, but are unable
TO predict how the laws of the union
which provide that its members shall
not work in an open shop. are 10 be
reconciied with the present situation at
me Government Printing Office.
1t is suggested in some quarters. un-
officially and in a speculative way. that
the only way out Of the difficulty will
be for the International Bookbinders'
Union to modify its laws on this subject
so that they will not apply TO Govern
ment offices, where they are in di0ct
conflict with the order of President
Roosevelt, which caused the reinstate-
ment of Miller. and which will hold
good as a rule for the future conduct
of the Public Printing Office.
As Government Servants.
This stand the union can take gracs-
fully by saying that as servants OF the
Government they cannot go contrary TO
the directions of the President OF the
United States.
In the meantime. pending action on the
part OF the Public Printer and Secretary
Cortelyou in regard to the Miller case.
the arbitration committee Is at work
continuously. In their rooms over the
cigar store, across the street from the
Government Printing Ofice. they are IA
almost constant session throughout ths
day.
There Is a regular watch on duty At
the street door, which commands a view
OF the main door of the Printing once.
When anyone comes out whom the cOIn-
mittee WISHES TO consult the watcher
at the door runs upstairs and notifies the
committee. Then a member Will rush
down, walk little way up the street
and join the person. man or woman as
the case may be. A consultation follows.
and the committeeman comes back with
his report. What the results OF these
frequent little conferences are not one
outside the union ranks seems 10 learn.
a -. - SuVnUDrrU