The Washington times., 1906-08-19
THREAT Of STRIKE
IN G.P. D. BINDERY
FOR MAN LAID OFF
Acting Foreman Ashton
ArouseS Ire by Enforc-
ing Stint" Rule.

Because A. J. Tanner, a bookbinder
in the Government Printing once. did
not do the stint" in the time required
by Acting Foreman OF the Bindery
Ashton. he was yesterday suspended by
the acting foreman. This action coming
on top or the visit OF the committee
appointed by the bookbinders at their
special meeting held last Wednesday
night, for the purpose or reaching an
understanding with the acting foreman
Of the bindery as to how many books
and how much time shall be used in
turning out the job. staggered the men,
and the matter was Immediately refer
red to the arbitration committee. The
result was that a call for a special
meeting Of the Bookbinders' union for
Tuesday night was issued, 10 take ap-
propriate steps in dealing with a mat
ter Of such Importance.
Is a Serious Matter.
BY many bookbinders the action OF
the acting foreman Is regarded as
most serious matter. and number OF
the men are In favor OF adopting
resolution at the meeting Tuesday night
pledging themselves not 10 return 10
work until Tanner is reinstated.
President Feeney of local BOokbinders'
Union No. said last evening that the
case or Tanner had many points OF in
terest. Tanner. he said, five years ago.
was an expert boOkblnder IN the public
library at Kansas city, and during the
time Tanner has been employed by
Uncle Sam he has turned out some Of
the best work I'm the bindery.
President Feeney said his information
was that the stint" required of Tanner
was 100 books. which he finished in five
days and One-haIf hour. The work was
inspected by the acting foreman, who
pronounced 10 satisfactory but said the
time was TOO long. and theTeupOn Tan
ner was suspended. A boOkbiBder next
90 Tanner. said President Feeney, took
six days to do the same number OK
books and was not suspended.
But the Public Printer, said PreEl-
dent Feeney. will. ] am sure, look into
this suspension, and feel confident that
when Mr.. Stllings Is made acquainted
with the facts he will restore Tanner 10
duty A committee will call ou the Pub
lie Printer on Monday
Public Printer Sullings when asked
about the case said 10 a fines reporter
last night that about y o'clock. just
as the office was CLOSING for the day,
Acting Foreman Ashton reported 20
him that he had suspended Tanner.
And" said the Public Printer. Il at
once turned the papers over 20 the In
speCti0n division with instructions To
the chief inspector 10 MAKE a thorough
investigation and report all the facts 20
me as soon as possible. Il may take
three or four DAYS. but / want the facts.
so that no injustice shall be done either
10 the men or the Office. The inspection
division projects the interests of the
men as well as ii protects the interests
Of the Government. Heretofore the sus-
pension or the men was left entirely 10
the foremen, and IL was easy for a fore
man 10 CRAFTY personal feeling I do
not know the facts surrounding the sus-
pension Of Tanner but when the evi-
dsnce is taken, as IL viii be. there will
be nothing left for me 10 90 but act on
the evidence.
All the employees Of the Office take an
oatn 10 the Government to give a fair
return tor the money paid them. I want
every emplOye IN the once 10 feel that
ne or she will receive from me a square
deal. and / want them 20 give me
square deal IN return. I will say that
any Omcer appointed bV me who three
times makes a suspension that cannot
be sustained by impartial evidence. Will
lose his position II Is not a question OF
unlonlsm. it is a question Of competency
and ability, I viii not Willingly do an
injustice nor su1er an injustice 20 be
done any emplOye %