Middletown transcript., 1903-08-01
WASHINGTON LETTER

! not require demonstration of the fac
that their President is entirely fearless o
that he proposes to administer the affair
of the government with absolute justice
regardless of his own political fortune
but they have received it in the courage
GUS position assumed by the Presiden
with regard to the employment of uniol
labor in the various departments of th'
government. The case OF William Miller
an assistant foreman of the government
printing Office, called forth from the
President the enunciation of policy
which for so years no President has
dared proclaim. This is to the effect thai
no discrimination shall be made between
union and non. union labor in the employ
of the government. Mr.. Roosevelt cites
the decision of the Anthracite Coal Strike
Commission in sapport of his decision,
the commission having decided that men
in the coal mines must not be discrimi.
mated against because they were not
members of a union. Miller was dis.
missed by the Public Printer because he
had been expelled from the Bookbinder'a
Union. Miller's crime was an attempt
to save money for the government by
insisting on the performance of more
work than the union permitted his sub
ordinates to do. 1t must be understood
that the Bookbinder's Union in Wash
ington prescribed limit to the amount
of work which each man shall perform
in day. Finally, when Miller refused
to yield to the dictation of the union, he
was expelled from its membership and
Immediately discharged by the Public
Printer for that reason, a proceeding
which Mr.. Roosevelt characterizes as
lacking in "elemenentary decency." The
President promptly ordered Miller REIN
stated. This has been done. The book
binders have now filed charges with the
Public Printer which they believe will
prove ample to warrant Miller's discharge
but they have also issued a statement to
he effect that they cannot work in the
'ffice with Miller, but will be compelled
o strike if he is reinstated in his present
position. The unfortunate part of the
ituation is that the constitution of the
lnion conflicts with the laws of the
United States, so that if the Public
Printer should not find sufficient ground
or discharging Miller he could not, ac-
ording to law, dismiss him, and the
finders, according to the laws of their
nion, could not remain. If, again, the
lnders were to strike, they would be
onspiring against the government, and |
ould never be re.instated without |
hange of the United States statues by |
congress. What the outcome of this
ecuiar situation will be it is impossible
predict. In several similar instances
revious Presidents have lodged the
sue, and now that President Roosevelt
as met it squarely, there are many who
elieve it will not cost him the sensible
Dor vote of the country. The Govern
ent is still little bigger than any
MON, whether capital or of labor, and
nsible capitalists and laborers will see
lat it stays bigger.
-
Reports from Oyster Bay are to the
feet that Speaker-to-be Cannon has
reed net to oppose the consideration of
lancial legislation which will be pre-
nted at the next session of Congress.
r. Cannon was summoned to Oyster
ny by the President to confer on this
bject which the President regards as of
ave Importance. Some skeptical per-
ms maintain that Mr.. Cannon has not
It made any promises, which amounts /.
anything for the reason that it is never
'cessary for the Speaker to oppose legis-
ton, as no legislation can receive con- {
ieratfon unless he actually favors it. {
is generally believed, however, that
me measure will be devised which will
medy existing defects in the financial
stem, and which will, at the same time
eet with the approval of the Republi-
n leaders in both houses of Congress.
le device which appears to be most in !
vor is a law authorizing all national
nks to issue notes to the extent of 25
r cent. OF their capital stock, subject
a tax OF per cent per annum. 1t is
aintained that such notes would be is
ed only in time of emergency and
'uld be promptly retired when the
lergency was passed because the tax I
'uld render their maintenance in cir
lation improbable, once the emer- /
ncy had passed.
~
After years of discussion and conten- 7
N, shipbuilding in the navy yards of
e country has last found favor with h
3 higher naval officers who have come
believe that it would be desirable for o
government to build its own vessels.
ere is now considerable delay because
the labor troubles in the yards of the
st which has the contracts for the h
ilding of thirteen vessels. Moreover, P
is claimed that the constant work +
ich would ensue, were the govern 3
mt to build its own ships, would mat tc
ally increase the value of the yards
! would have tendency to prevent o
} labor difficulties which now arise a,
IN the necessity which confronts en- II
yes of finding work elsewhere at cer- Il
seasons Of the year. Rear Admiral z z
wles is now preparing for Secretary y,
Qdy statement based on the work of lie
lding the Connecticut in the New s.
rk navy yard. The Admiral has al
dy found that not less than per cent i;' la
he total cost of the ship will be saved w
the inspection expenses as a result of al
ernlnent construction. The govern 81
Mt Is preparing to complete the erui- e. e.
Galveston, now at Norfolk, and will r,
Id the sailing vessels Intrepid and Sa
nberland. The training brig author in