The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-11
President Rooseveit's stand i'm the
Matter Il. Causing Much specula-
tton I'm Labor Circles.
FRED BARMIcKEEs LETTER
VICE PRESIDENT OF DROP FORGE
COMPANY IN TEE FRAY.
President's Course Meets with the
Commentator OF Employer
Discussion Pro and Con.


promises to be one OF the most extraordi-
nary IN the history Of the organization
Aside from the controversy between the
Amalsamated woodworkers and the United
Brotherhood OF Carpenters and J0iners.
which will be fought out on the floor OF the
convention. the open shop question VIII re-
csive no little attention. The attitude OF
President Roosevelt in declaring that every
man should have equal rights in the Gov
eminent Printing Office and not be dis
eliminated against. has. as would be ex-
pected. been condemned by the majority OF
the labor papers Of the country. The Ques-
fion II much discussed In labor circles and
little sympathy is shown towards the Pres
tdent IN the labor press, although many Of
tie prominent labor leaders take his part.
The employers have supported the action
OF the President. An article from the
Washington Evening Star throws a good
deal OF light upon the situation. Il will be
seen from the latter from the Indianapolis
Drop Forge Company that the writer
thinks 1t high time to take advantage of
the Presidents ruling and deal organized
labor telling blow. To that end he speaks
of letter to the President signed by one
hundred Of his nonunion men. This letter
in some way fell into the hands of labor
The letter at the present time is In the
hands Of afr. Collins. business agent of the
local union OF machinists, who declares
that there are not more than twenty-five
nonunion men in the drop forge plant The
article. with the letter inclosed. follows:
LIVE TOPIC.
Although ii Is not probable that the ex-
ecutive council OF the American Fedora
tion OF Labor will take further action In
the matter Of the advocacy by the Pres
ident OF the open shop at the Govern
ment Printing Office until the annual con-
vention at Boston, Mass, next month, that
controversy remains a live topic among the
ranks OF organized labor. 1t is apparently
the desire of President Gompers, OF the
federation. to allow the matter to rest, as
lie continues 70 refuse to discuss il.
AS local union No. OF bookbinders is
considered directly responsible for the rul-
fIonsh,n oT u1inn iooT 10 as 20 1ne rela
lion or the government, In that the ruling
was the outcome Of the Miller case. it is
regarded as absolutely certain that the
officials OF the international Brotherhood
o. Bookbinders will request the support OF
,ca coming o,n con1snqSn IN Iae ngnt OF the
The principles or the trades union move
ment. the International brotherhood Of
BoOkbfnders, directly affiliated body
OF the federation, has the right to ask for
such support
shop
controversy has evolved itself into what
many consider a political issue, Ii Is only
natural 70 suppose. ii Is stated. that the
matter will be handled in most delicate
manner by the convention. The more con-
sentative labor leaders. 1T Is said. do not
controversy. lest the organized labor move
ment might be placed In an embarrassing
not to say, unenviable. position before the
II Il learned the officials OF the federation
desire that the bookbinders be shown every
consfdera ion in the matter. Should the
convention refuse point-blank to support
the bookbinders there is a strong probable
fty. II Is stated. that the advisability OF
severing their aff1liation with the federation
would be seriously considered b. the book
The active participation OF the local
Central Labor Union In the open shop
controversy has attracted widespread at
rention. not only among the organized labor
people, but also among employers, the for
iner giving the action their hearty support
while the latter speak or IL In no uncertain
terms OF criticism.
BARMICKEL's LETTER.
THE letter OF Vice President Fred Bar
nickel. of the indianapolis Drop Forge
Company. to Mr.. E. F. De Brul. commits
sioner OF the National Metal Trades Asso-
citation. In which the local Central Labor
Union was roundly denounced. has caused
general comment In local labor circles. 1t
was brought to the attention of the central
body by President James O'Connell. of the
International Association OF Machinists,
into whose possession an original copy came
by a pure accident The Central Labor
Union. as was stated briiy In the Star of
yesterday. replied to the letter by adopting
supplemental resolutions in support OF Its
original and present position to the adj
fninistration's attitude in the open shop
controversy
The communication, local labor leaders
declare. is the first instance of the fulfill
ment OF the prediction THAI President
Roosevelt's stand to the retention OF
Foreman ". A. Miller and his advocacy of
open shop would ezaboIden private en-
ployers TO pursue a similar course In their
own establishments. 1t Is pointed out how
ever. that the attitude OF the President will
VIII not materially impede the labor move
ment. but will disturb the heretofore har-
rnonfous 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. II Is said. directed at the Republi-
can party or Mr.. Roosevelt President of
the United States, but against Mr.. Roose-
welt as an individual. and to again inform
him that he Is unfriendly and antagonistic
10 organized labor. The charge has been
made that II has been the purpose OF the
| Central Labor Union 10 make the open
shop controversy political issue, and, by
denouncins President Roosevelts action,
10 influence the union voters TO cast their
ballots for the Democratic party To put
ali such declarations to rest the union has
The letter of Vice President Barmickel
was dated Cincinnati, o., Sept. g. 1893. and
read follows.
= To the members OF the ~. NJ. T. A
This Office received the letter below from
one OF our members. The suggestion strikes
your commissioner very good one and
the letter Is submitted to you for your con-
Alteration II you deem II advisable, you
might call IL 20 the attention OF nonunion
men In your employ and also to our local
association for similar action.
DELUGE THE PRESIDENT.
Indianapolis Drop Forge Company,
indianapolis. Ind. Sept. 21 1903
Mr. T.. r. De Brul, Commissioner Ma
tional Metal Trades Association, Cincin-
natl. o.:
:" Dear Sir-The unexampled gall that or
Ganized labor Is again displaying through
the action OF the Central Labor body al
Washington in denounclng the President
for his course in the Miller case, ard call
ing on organized labor the country over 10
lombard the President with petitions II
seems TO me, calls for some action on tho
part of employers 10 counterfeit this move
for there can be no doubt that It IL possible
for organized labor. through the course il
proposes 90 take, To WELD some influence
favorable 10 its demands. III unchallenged
b. the respectable elements that want fair
play
- Does IL not strike you that this Miller
Incident presents an opportunity for en-
Dloyer and nonunionist TO 90 on record and