Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, ID. c., July p.

Correspondence Of the Alexandra Oazette.J
Washington, d. c., July p.
Because Senator Lodge, in an inter-
view at Oyster Bay, announced that
financial as we'll as Cuban reciprocity
would be considered at the coming extra
session of Congress in November, an
expression has gained ground in some
quarters that there has been change in
the administration programme. Ever
since last March when it was officially
announced that the President would call
Congress together in special session on
November 9, the first Monday after the
elections, it has been thoroughly under
stood that a currency bill would be pre-
sented and discussed with the hope that
both it and the Cuban question could be
disposed of before the meeting of the
regular session, or at least before the
Christmas holidays. 1t was with this
idea that Senator Aldrich secured the
consent of the Senate for the meeting
during the summer of subcommittee
of the finance committee in order topre-
pare financial bill that would meet the
objections raised to the so-called Aldrich
bill of last session, and that could be
passed by both Houses. Work on that
new bill is we'll advanced. Leaders on
both the democratic and republican sides
are being consulted and, so far as
possible, all opposition is being elimi-
mated in advance of the assembling of
Congress. As outlined the programme
for the extra session is as follows:
A Joint resolution to make the Cuban
reciprocity effective will be introduced
in both the Senate and the House, and
will be the first business to command
attention. In the House it is expected
that speedy action will be taken on this
question. Because of the power given
to the republicans by the rules it will
be no difficult matter to force through,
without amendment or opportunity for
long discussion, any measure regard
ing the Cuban treaty that the majority
may agree upon. In the Senate will it be
different. A long debate is expected
there to voice the opposition of the beet
sugar growing states to the grant
ing CT any concessions to Cuban
sugars. While the Senate is dis
cussing this question it is intended
to take up currency matters in
the House and thrash out the whole
subject. 1t is believed that the bill
which will be presented as the result of
the summers deliberations will har-
monte many of the conflicting opinions
that existed in the last Congress and
will command majority vote. Whether
the Cuban debate can be brought to a
conclusion soon enough to enable the
Senate to take action on the financial
bill before the regular session begins,
remains to be seen. Senator German s
influence will, it is stated, be eXerted to
prevent any organized filibuster on the
democratic side against either the Cuban
reciprocity treaty or the currency bill
when it comes up. The Senate leaders
think the chances are good for the final
disposition, of both these questions be-
fore Christmas.
The case of w. A. Miller, assistant
foreman in the bindery of the Govern
ment Printing Office, who was removed
from office because he was expelled from
the Bookbinders' Union and who was re-
assigned to duty, is the subject of much
comment here. The matter came up last
night at the meeting of the union at
which about 500 members were present.
After q session held behind closed doors
President Barrett, of the union, announc-
ed that today statement OF the case
from the union viewpoint will be made
A copy of this will be furnished to the
President, to Secretary Cortelyou, to the
Civil Service Commission and to Public
Printer Palmer. Mr.. Barrett said that
the paper will show that the position of
the Bookbinders' Union is correct in the
present case and that the reinstatement
of Miller would cause discord.
This afternoon the bOokbinders issued
a statement setting forth the reasons
that prompted Millers expulsion from
the union. The causes assigned include
offensive and scurrilous language, di-
rected against officials of the government
printing Office and against officers Of the
union; threats against employees who
we're under him and contemplate
manner of punishment" Of these en-
ployes. They also include alleged
efforts on the part of Miller to influence
congressional legislation unfavorable to
the union here, by furnishing a men,
Der of Congress schedules and price
lists of shops in other cities, to demon
strate that the work done in the Govern
ment Printing Office Is not up to the
average. Affidavits supporting these
charges have been submitted by the Of
ficers of the union to Public Printer Pal
mer. in the expectation that he will dis
charge Miller on these grounds, so as to
make the discharge binding and lawful.
Miller himself is not in the city and has
not yet applied for reinstatement The
most significant part of the statement
issued by the officers Of the union to-
day is TO the effect that The constitu-
ton lof their union) forbids them to
work with suspended or expelled mem:
bers." The statement in question will
be submitted to Secretary of Commerce
and Labor Cortelyou later in the day,
with the request that it be transmitted
to President Roosevelt. 1t is the hope
of the union members that their presen-