The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-30
ROOSEVELT TO LABOR MEN.
STICKS TO HIS DECISION IN THE
MILLER CASE.

MILLER CASE.
TwO-H0ur Conference with John Mitchell.
Gompers and Others-Tells Them the
Government in Hiring . Man Can't
Consider His Membership in q Union.
WASHINGTON. Sept. pa conference
between President Roosevelt and several
leading representatives Of organized labor,
an event which had been long expected.
but repeatedly denied from semi-official
sources even as lately as this mo rning, took
place at the White House tonight.
The men who conferred with Mr.. Roose-
welt were Samuel Gompers, president Of
tho American Federation of Labor; James
Duncan. vice-president; Frank Morrison,
secretary; James O'Connell and John
Mitchell, members Of the executive council
OF that organization.
There was every indication around the
White House tonight that some crisis had
been reached, and the occasion, just one
year ago, when Mr.. Roosevelt called into
conference with him the opposing interests
in the anthracite coal strike was wildly
recalled.
To-night's conference began before o
o'clock and continued until after IL. Nearly
every subject pertaining to organized
labor was discussed, but the principal ones
were the standing Of Assistant Foreman
w. A. Miller In the Government Printing
Once and the President's declaration that
.Lc C<dorol v,rsp$tpp Ao< n h1ir p,ont n m
@open shop"
The conference didrnot result in the most
complete harmony. Tho labor leaders,
after coming from the White House, would
not say that the Presidents attitude is
entirely acceptable to them. and the Presi-
dent was unable to agree with all the views
expressed by the labor leaders.
The following copy of the Presidents
remarks to the labor leaders so far as they
pertained to the Miller case was given out
at the White House:
Il thank you and your committee for your
courtesy, and appreciate the opportunity
to meet with you. 1t will always be a
pleasure to see you or any representatives
of your organizations or of your federation
as whole.
AS regards the Miller case, have little
10 add to what l have already said. In
dealing with 1t 1 ask you to remember that
| am dealing purely with the relation Of
the Government to it's employees.
81 must govern my action by the laws Of
the land, which / arm sworn to administer.
and which diferentiate any case in which
the Government Of the United States is a
party from all other cases whatsoever.
these laws are enacted for the benefit
Of the whole people. and cannot and must
not be construed AZ permitting discrimi-
nation against some Of the people. am
President OF all the people Of tho United
States, without regard to creed, color,
birthplace, occupation or social condition.
'My aim Is to do equal and exact Justice
as among them all. In the employment
and dismissal OF mon in tho Government
service can no more recognize the fact that
man does or does not belong to union a.
being for or against him than can recog-
nize the fact that he IL Q Protestant or
Catholic, Jew or a gentle. as being for or
against him.
In the communications sent mo by varl-
Gus labor organizations protesting against
the retention Of Miller In tho Government
Printing ONCE, the grounds alleged are
twofold: First, that he 10 . non-union man;
secondly that he 10 not personally fit.
The question Of his personal htnee' -
one to b settled In tho routine OF admin
istrative detail. and cannot be allowed
to conflict with or to oomplioate the larger
question Of governmental discrimination
for or against him or any other man be-
cause he u Or Is not member Of union.
This is tho only question now before me
for decision; and az to this my decision in
final
After leaving tho White House, President
Gompers made the following statement
regarding the reasons for the conference
and the matters discussed between the
President and the labor leaders:
During the meeting Of the executive
council held here last week, a committee
consisting Of Mr.. Duncan, Mr.. Mitchell,
Mr.. Mcconnell. Mr. Morrison and myself,
was appointed to take up the case Of Fore
man Miller Of the Government Printing
Office, and the charges made against him.
The council was also instructed to Law
before President Roosevelt the legislation
which organized labor desires at the hands
Of Congress, and for which we desire the
support Of the President. At that time,
Sept "a, I sent the following letter to the
President:
DEAR SIN: The executive council OF the
American Federation OF Labor Is entrusted
with the affairs Of the general labor move
ment In the interim Of national conventions.
and has received instructions regarding
various subjects Of legislation In the interest
Of labor, as well as regarding possible e1ecu-
tive action
There are several subjects which have
been committed 10 orr care and which we
desire to bring to your attention with the
hope of receiving your support Then.
again the controversy in the case Of william,
A. Miller, who was dismissed from the public
services and reinstated by your order. has
been submitted to us.
Having these facts in mind the executive
council has selected subcommittee for the
purpose Of having an interview with you at
which these matters may be gone over.
We learn that You will return to Washington
on Monday. Sept. 20, and trust that yon will
accord us the desired interview. AS Mr..
Mitchell has engagements which require him
to leave Washington. Sept. 20. and as we
desire his presence We hope you may set the
time for the interview before his departure.
Very truly yours, SAMUEL GoMPERs
President American Federation OF Labor.
AT the conference tonight we brought
before the President various civil matters,