Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-04
THE BookBlNDERs AND THE
GOVERNMENT.

The fears of those, who believed that
clash between organized labor and
the federal government was imminent,
will rot be realized. The course adopt
ed by the officials of the bookbinders'
union in the case of w. A. Miller is
such as to deserve the hearty endorse
ment of all American citizens. At the
time the order removing Miller from
the government employ was revoked
by President Roosevelt agitators her
aided it forth as crisis in which they
declared organized labor would be call
ed upon to measure strength with the
United States government The radi-
calls pointed to the action of President
Roosevelt as inimical to the cause of
organized labor
All this hullabaloo has not in the
least excited the conservative leaders
of the labor movem ent. When the
case was brought to their attention
they set about to learn its merits.
Now that the matter has been careful
ly considered Secretary Barrett of the
local union in Washington has given
out statement in which he says con-
corning the action of the President:
president Roosevelt is unquestion-
ably right, and we do not criticise his
action in the least. He had no other
course open to him. He had to en-
that he has done so in the Miller
case"
Then in explanation of the situation,
Mr.. Barrett says: when Miller was in
formed that his services were no long
er desired because he was not mem
Der of the union it could have been
stated that he was dismissed for insu
bordination' for the good of the ser.
vice or some such reason. Mr.. Pal
mer was unfortunate in his selection
of reasons to be specified in the formal
discharge IL should not be thought
for moment that Miller was dismiss.
ed simply because he was expelled
from the union"
The officials and memb ers of the un.
ion have signified their willingness to
comply with the laws Of the govern.
ment agreeing that the case shall be
subjected to an investigation and a de.
icision under the civil service laws,
They feel assured that when the facts
are known the results will be as they
desire. Should it be found by the in.
vestigation that an injustice has been
done Mr.. Miller there seems to be a
disposition on the part of the union Off
Gals to abide by that decision
Aside from the individual case one
point that will serve as a precedent for
all organized labor has been definitely
decided for the book-binders union. II
is thought that there is desire on the
part of the organization to conduct its
affairs in conformity with the laws OF
the nation. An official in reference to
this point says: "If there is any con.
t1ict between the laws of our land and
of our union the latter will have to
be revised" The officers of the book
binders union have taken this matter
under consideration and should it be
found that there is conflict at any
point that organization will doubtless
change it's laws Immediately. Though
it is regretted that this embarrassing
situation has arisen, it is probable that
the affair will result in good to the
cause of organized labor and will dem
onstrate that the purpose of the un,
ions can be carried out in perfect ac'
cordance with the laws of the United
States.