Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-07
IN LABOR CIRCLES
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Although it is not probable that the ex-
ecutfve council of the American Fedora
ton of Labor will take further action in
the matter of the advocacy by the Presi-
dent of the open shop at the government
printing Office until the annual convention
at Boston, Mass, next month, that con-
troversy remains a live topic among the
ranks of organized labor 1t is apparently
the desire of President Gompers Of the fed
Grafton to allow the matter to rest, as he
continues to refuse to discuss it.
AS Local Union No of Bookbinders
is considered directly responsible for
the ruling of President Roosevelt as to the
relationship of union labor to the admins
tration of the government, in that the rul-
ing was the outsome of the Miller case, 1t
is regarded as absolutely certain that the
officials of the International Brotherhood
of Bookbinders will request the support of
the coming convention in the fight Of the
local union against Foreman Miller. Under
the principles of the trades union move
ment the International Brotherhood of
Bookbinders, as a directly affiliated body
of the federation, has the right to ask for
such support.
In view of the fact that the open shop"
controversy has evolved itself into what
many consider a political issue. 1t Is only
natural to suppose, 1t is stated, that tn"
matter will be handled in most delicate
manner by the convention The more con-
sentative labor leaders, it is said do not
wish the federation to go farther into the
controversy, lest the organized labor move
ment might be placed in an embarrassing,
not to say unenviable, position before the
public of the country. AT the same time, it
is learned, the officials of the fedora ton
desire that the bookbnders be shown every
consideration in the matter Should the
Ia rnfn
the book binders. there is a strong proba-
bility. 1t is stated, that the advisability of
severing their affiliation with the fedora
ton would be seriously considered by the
bOokbinderS generally.
The active participation of the local Cen
trail Labor Union in the open shop con-
troversy has attracted widespread atten-
ton, not only among the organized labor
people, but also among employers, the
former giving the action their hearty sup
port, while the latter speak of 1t in no un-
certain terms of criticism.
The letter of Vice President Fred. Bar
nickel of the Indianapolis Drop Forge
Company to Mr.. +. r. De Brul comm's s.
: sioner of the National Metal Trades Asso-
cation in which the local Central Labor
Union was roundly denounced. has caused
general common in local labor circles. 1t was
brought to the attention of the central body
by President James OCOnnell of the In
ternatOnal Association of Machinsts into
whose possession original copy came by
a pure accident. The Central Labor Union,
as was stated briefly in The Star of yester-
day. replied to the letter by adopting sup
Elemental resolutions in support of its orig
inal and present position as to the admin
istrationS attitude in the open shop con-
troversy.
The communication, local labor leaders
declare, is the first instance of the fulfill
ment of the prediction that President
Koosevelt's stand to the retention OF
Foreman w. A. Miller and his advocacy of
open shop would embolden private en-
ployers to pursue a similar course in their
own establishments. 1t is pointed out.
however that the attitude of the President
will not materially impede the labor move
ment but will disturb the heretofore har-
monious relations of employers and EN-
plOyes thereby charging the gap between
capital and labor.
The resolutions adopted by the Central
Labor Union Monday evening in reply to
the attack of Vice President Barmickel
are not, it is said. directed at the republl-
can party or Mr.. Roosevelt as President of
the United States, but against Mr.. Roosc-
welt as an individual. and to again inform
him that he is unfriendly and antagonistic
to organized labor. The charge has been
made that 1t has been the purpose of the
Central Labor Union to make the open
shop controversy a political issue, anC. by
denouncing President Roosevelts action, to
influence the union voters to cast their
ballots for the democratic party. TO put
all such declarations to rest. the union las
unanimously disclaimed any such purpose
The letter of Vice President Barmlckel
was dated Cincinnati. Ohio, September 70,
1903 and read as follows:
ITO the members of the N. NJ. T. A.
Gentlemen:
This office received the letter below from
one of our members. The suggestion
strikes your commissioner as a very good
Cne and the letter is submitted to you for
your consideration. If you deem 1t ad-
visable, you might call it to the attention
of non-union men in your employ and aIso
to our local associations for similar action.
.INDIANAPOLIS DROP FORGE CO."
INDIA NAPOLIS Ind, Sept q, 1903.
Mr.. f. F. De Brul Commissioner National
Metal Trades Association. Cincinnati
Ohio:
Dear Sir: The unexampled gall that
organized labor Is again displaying through
the action of the Central Labor body at
Washington in denouncing the President
for his course in the Miller case. and cali
ing on organized labor the country over 20
lombard the President with petitions, 1t
seems to me, calls for some action on the
part of employers to counteract this move,
for there can be no doubt that 1t is possible
for organized labor, through the course IT
proposes to take, to WELD some influence
favorable to it's demands, If unchallensed
by the respectable elements that want falr
play.
DOCS it not strike you that this Miller
incident presents an opportunity for en-
ployer and non-unionst to go on record
and deluge the President with letters in
Trades Association ought to become active
in this as should every other similar BODY.
\ letter of commendation will go to the
President signed by 100 of our non-union
men and | don't doubt that non-union men
in every one of our members shops Will
take similar action, if the matter is brought
70 their attention. There is no question in
nv mind that the Presidents course IS
largely responsible for the reaction that
has set in against the abuses of organized
labor and he ought to be encouraged and
the fact emphasized that the country Is
with him in this question. Yours truly,
INDIANAPOLIS DROP FORGE CO,
(Signed) FRED. BARM1CkEL,
Vice President and General Manager.
Apparently anticipate that President u.
NJ. Parry of the National Manufacturers
Association would associate Peter Elliott,
the lunatic who created a scene at the
White House Monday in attempting to gain
a hearing with President Roosevelt. with
the labor movement and place the RESPONSE
bility of the madman's conduct at the door
of organized labor, President Samuel Com
pers of the American Federation of Labor
in a jocular manner yesterday said to sew
eral newspaper men:
II would like to state. as a matter of
news and for the information of Mr.. Parry,
that the labor movement was not in any
way connected with the iunatic's attempt
on President Roosevelts life
President Gompers refused to discuss the