The Washington times., 1903-07-24

the Civil Service Commissioners He
did not appear there.
When the unions conference with the
Civil Service Commissioners was con
cluded President Barrett said:
we are here TO file new charges
against Miller and to explain our posi-
tion to the Commission so that it may
be made clear to the President. We
have been placed in a wrong light by
some of the newspapers. and we want
to remove this unfavorable impression.
AS we understand it, Miller has been
informed that he can return to work to-
morrow morning Should he do so there
is not going to be any strike.
Miller will be allowed to go 10 work
II he appears. We do not intend 10
walk out But we are going to call
meeting IL he appears. which most
probably will be held tomorrow night.
and at that meeting the whole matter
IS TO be discussed. and a line OF action
mapped out.
We intend. however-and / would
like to have this made plain-to act in
a conservative manner We respect the
Government and the law and the Presi-
dent. and We do not think it is right for
Us 70 have been put before him in a
wrong light. We intend TO let the law
take its course in Millers case. We are
sure that the charges are strong enough
to cause him to be removed.
Would Use Machines.
The suggestion that the typographical
Union in the Government Printing Of
fee might 90 on strike in sympathy with
the Bookbinders' Union in case OF the
reinstatement of Assistant Foreman ".
A. Miller. has reached the ears of the
President. and he has determined on at
least one line of procedure.
He has. in fact. taken the nrst step,
that is. the investigation of introducing
typesetting machine into the Office.
AS soon as the news of the Bookbinders'
Unions threat reached President Roose-
velt- he Instructed Secretary Cortelyou
to make Immediately the necessary in
quiries, looking to the accomplishment
of this revolution, ascertain the num-
Der Of machines that would be required,
OF money that would be saved to the
Government by the adoption of these
modern devices
Have Asked Estimates.
In accordance with these Instructions
Secretary Cortelyou on Wednesday sent
letter to company which manufac-
lures the machines, calling for informa-
ta he, % LIT. ~.
ernment Printing ONCE.
Whether the machines will be intro
duced in case the proposed strike is
called off has not been determined. but
It is certain that IL the men do go out.
they can never get back and the last
stronghold OF the hand compositor will
be invaded by the typesetter of iron and
steel
1t is calculated that three -fourths of
the compositors now employed in the
Office could be dispensed with II the
machines were used.
Several abortive attempts have been
made in recent years to induce the
Government to take up typesetting ma
chimes. but the influence OF the unions
has thus far prevented their introduc-
tion In the Government Printing once.
The only place where the Government
at present employs these machines is in
the Philippines. and 1t Is safe to say
that the machines would not have been
sent there but for the scarcity Of COM
petent hand compositors In the islands
The Presidents Attitude
In the meantime the President pro-
poses to handle the Miller case i'm
partially and sQuarely on fits merits, in
dependently of his expulsion from the
union
The charges against him. filed by the
union yesterday. will be carefully in
vestigated. and Miller will be given an
opportunity to answer them. should he
manifest desire to return to work. as
he is now entitled to. under the Presl-
dents order for his reinstatement
Should he not care to resume his la
bors In the Government Printing ONCE
Of course the matter would drop there.
The President. in the event OF Miiler's
return to work. viii simply determine
whether or not he is a 1T man for the
position.
The allegations regarding his personal
conduct and qualifications. made by the
union. will be given a respectful hear
ing, and should they be proven and
found to be Of sufficient weight, Miller
will not be allowed to continue on the
Government payroll. On the other
hand. should they prove groundless. he
will be retained. regardless OF any con-
templated strike, either by the book
binders. or by all the unions affiliated
herewith in the Government Printing
once.