The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-30
ROOSEVELT SAYS NO.
President Refuses to DiSmis
Foreman Miller.

Washington. Sept 3O.-An important
conference took place at the White
House last night between President
Roosevelt and five members or the ex-
ecutive council of the American FeGera-
ton of Labor. including President
Gompers and Mr.. Mitchell. head OF the
miners union. during which the case
OF Foreman w. A. Miller of the govern
ment printing office. who was dismissed
because he had been expelled from the
local bookblnders' union and arterward
was reinstated by direction of the presi-
dent, was the principal topic of discus
SION Inc conference was granted a the
request of the labor leaders.
The Miller case was very fully pre-
scented by the members of the executive
council. at the close of which the presi-
dent made statement in which he an
uounced that his decision not to dismiss
Miller was final. and that the question
OF MS personal fitness must be settled in
the regular routine of administration
The statement in full is as follows;
pursuant to the request of Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor, the president
granted an interview this evening to
the members of the executive council
of that body. Mr.. Samuel Gompers,
Mr.. James Duncan, Mr.. John Mitchell,
Mr.. James O'ConneH and Mr.. Frank
Morrison, at which various subjects of
legislation in the interests of labor, as
well as executive action, were discussed.
Concerning the case of William A
Miller, the president made the follow
ing statement:
" I thank you and your committee
for your courtesy, and I appreciate the
opportunity to meet with you. 1t will
always be a pleasure to see you or any
representatives of your organizations
or of your federation as a whole.
" AS regards the Miller case 1 have
little to add TO what l have already
said In dealing with it l ask you to
remember that 1 am dealing purely
with the relation of the government to
its employees. / must govern my action
by the laws of the land, which l am
sworn to administer, and which differ
entiate any case in which the govern
ment of the United States Is a party
from all other cases whatsoever These
laws are enacted for the benefit of the
whole people and cannot and must not
be construed as permitting discrimina-
ton against some of the people. am
president of all the people of the United
States, without regard to creed, color.
birthplace. occupation or social condl-
tons. My aim is to do equal and eX-
act justice among them all
In the employment and dismissal Of
men in the government service, l can
no more recognize the fact that man
does or does not belong to union as
being for or against him. than can
recognize the fact that he is Protest
ant or a Catholic. a Jew or gentlie,
as being for or against him..
The members of the executive councll
attending the conference constituted the
subcommittee appointed to take up the
Miller case at the meeting OF the ex-
ecIItive council held in Washington last
week At that time the subcommittee
wrote letter to the president, asking y
that a time be set for a conference IL II
was dated Washington. September "a, was
sent to TIE president at Oyster Bay ana
is in part, as follows: =,
q In the communica tions sent me by
various labor organizations protesting
against the retention of Miller in the gov
eminent printing office, the grounds al
legged are two-fold First, that he IS a
personally fit The question of his personal
fitness is one to be settled in the routine
| of administrative detail, and can not be
| allowed to conflict with or to compllcate
elimination for or against him or any
other man because he is or Is not mem
her of a union. This is the only question
now before me for decision ana as 10 TINS
1.-THE executive council of the American
Federation of Labor is intrusted with the
affairs of the general LABOR movement Il u
| the interim of national conventions and
! has received instructions regarding Vari-
Gus subjects of legislation in the interest
of labor as we'll as of executive action
! There are several subjects which nave
been committed to our care and Wnlch we
hone of receiving your sympathetic sup
| port Then, again. the controversy IN the
| case of w A. Miller. who was dismissed
| from the public service and relnstate1 py
/ ms these facts in mind. the executive
! council has selected a subcommittee Tor
| the purpose of having an interview with
YOU at which these matters may be gone
! over with you
xUiobita and Return 1918 via Santa