Evening star., 1903-07-27
THE CASE OF MILLER
He is Transferred to His Old
Position.
BOOKBINDERS' PROTEST
PUBLIC PRINTER PALMER SAYS
He HAS NOT READ 1T.
Executive Council Of International
Brotherhood of Bookbinders
to Meet Tonight.
BOOKBINDERS' PROTEST

An atmosphere of unusual quiet pervaded
the government printing Office this morn
ing. w. A. Miller reported at his desk at
the usual time and took charge of the divi-
sion of which he Is the assistant foreman.
The men under him looked at him askance,
but made no move to stop their work.
This was by order of the arbitration COM
mittee and in accordance with the letter
sent to Public Printer Palmer on Saturday
to the effect that Miller would be per-
mitted to take up his old work. and that,
in Difference to the order of the Presi-
dent Of the United States and the federal
law, nothing would be done by the book
binders to retard the work Of the office.
The men protested that their constitution
forbade their working with the man who
had been expelled from their union. but in
face of the order of the arbitration COM
mittee could do no less than obey.
Executive Council to Meet Tonight.
The executive council of the Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Bookbinders Is on
the way to Washington. the secretary,
James w. Dougherty. having already ar
rived, and there will be a conference of
that body and the local arbitration COM
mittee tonight 1t is expected that at
that meeting some conclusion Will be
reached as to the next move In the game
of forcing Miller out of the service me
local committee are unanimous In the be
lief that this can be done, but are not az
all sure as to the manner in which 1t VIII
be accomplished
On Saturday Miller formally took charge
of the branch bindery in the Union build
Ing but this morning he was transferred
back to the old place he held at the time OF
the first trouble with his associates in the
Office and in the Bookbinders' Union. He
is now directly under p. J. Byrne. the fore
man of the entire bindery. and there are
two other assistant foremen In that puliu-
ing. In the Union building Chas. Meier mas
charge having been sent there when Miller
returned.
Although the public printer assured re-
porter for The Evening Star this morning
that he had not yet looked at the protesl
and charges filed with him by the book
binders against Miller. 1t Is generally con-
ceded that action upon them can be de-
layed only few days.
The arbitratio committee was In session
this morning and held long conference
with National Secretary Dougherty. but the
result of the talk was not made pubic.
although 1t was said that nothing OF i'm
portance beyond a statement Of their posi-
ton was said to Secretary Dougherty.
When the full council arrives here and goes
into session the entire case will be pre-
sented and Mr.. Palmer will shortly after
ward be called upon to show his hand.
Expected Action Of Public Printer.
There is little reason to doubt that after
decent delay he will act favorably to the
union when the time comes, and 1t Is said
that he has prepared the letter to Miller
that will effectually get that harassed en-
ploye out Of the government service for
ever. Outwardly Miller has not a friend in
the employ of the printing office.
Should Mr. Palmer refuse to act In ac-
cordance with the request of the bookbind-
ers. which is practically equivalent to
Iay,, ny,1 md tra TO ohnr or ha
action would bring the union men face to
face with a serious condition. They would
then have to recede from their position
that none of their members could work
with an expelled member of their union
and revise their constitution to harmonZie
with the civil service rules. or they would
have to place themselves on record as OPP
ponents of the federal law Either course
would be extremely embarrassing and
either action would weaken the union.
In the first place. If they were brought to
the point where they were forced to admit
that their constitution was faulty and in
conflict with the civil service laws, 1t would
inculcate feeling of dissatisfaction among
the members that they had been working
under a constitution that failed to stand
the test at the first real trial. Secondly. II
they refused to recede from their position
that their rules are superior to those Of the
civil service commission they would place
themselves in line as antagonistic to the
federal government and in such position
are now favorable to unionism, but who
would not for moment support 1t when 1t
assumed in the slightest degree to be su-
perior to the general law.
Constitution Would Be Changed.
1t may be that this question will confront
the executive council after they have gath
cred here and have heard what Mr.. Palmer
has to say on the subject of the Miller pro-
test. AS matter OF fact the constitution
would be changed rather than that the as
ISOLATION should take the position of op-
posing the law Of the land. a position which
would not only mean its annihilatiOn here,
but the animosity of the bulk Of the popu-
lation of the country They are placed in q
very critical position. and none knows 1t
better than they This Is the reason for the
call for the executive council. for upon that
body can be thrown the responsibility for
any change that may have to be made in
| the internal working of the union.
President Tatem of Chicago has sent
word that he will be in attendance If a
slight illness will permit. but his presence
Is not absolutely necessary to action by the
council Although no time limit was given the
public printer within which to act on the
protest of the bookbinders 1t is tacitly un-
derstood that he will be asked for his decl-
sion within a very few days unless he sees
fit to announce 1t to the council after It's
meeting tonight.
Charges Against Miller.
The charges against Miller are said to be
against his personal character rather than
against any of his actions in the Office or
against the bookbinders' union, and men,
bers Of the union who are in a position to
know have said that they are sufficiently
grave to warrant the instant dismissal of
the offensive employe. He has already been
accused of violently denouncing his super
ior officers, and this is one Of the minor
offenses with which he is charged in the
protest against his retention in the office.
The public printer denies any knowledge of
the contents Of this protest and says that
he will examine 1t at his leisure.
The following is the text of the letter
sent to Mr.. Palmer and which shows the
position N the bookbinders at the present
time:
| To Hon. F. w. Palmer. Public Printer:
Dear Sir-At a meeting of local union
No. the arbitration committee was in
structed to confer with the international
officers of the brotherhood. the officers Of
| the Allied Printing Trades Council and the
| officers Of the American Federation Of
Labor looking to an adjustment of the
| issue now facing u.s. Pending this adjust
| ment the members Of our union will be