Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-21
SUSPENDED FROM DUTY
W. A. MILLER OF PUBLIC PRINT.
ERY UNDER CHARGES.

w. A. Miller, assistant foreman of the
bindery of the government printing Office,
who is said to have been the cause OF
President Roosevelt's Issuing the noted
order restoring Mr.. Miller to his position
and declaring the government printery ar.
open shop, was today suspended from duty
by Mr.. Charles A. Stillings, public printer.
This action was taken on the recommenda-
ton Of Mr.. II. F. Ashton, assistant Inspector
and acting general foreman Of the bindery.
The announcement of Miller's suspension
soon spread over the big printing Office and
caused something of a sensation. The
grounds upon which the action was based
were insubordination and insolence. The
order suspending Miller was duly approved
by Mr.. Stillings, who will, 1t is said, make
a thorough investigation before the final
disposition OF the case is made.
Statement by Mr.. Stillings.
Speaking to Star reporter today Mr..
Stillings said that Mr. Millers official ac-
tions of late had occasioned much COM
plant. The case had become acute. Mr..
Stillings stated, and added that it had re-
quired drastic treatment
He said that every opportunity would be
given the suspended assistant foreman to
set forth his side of the case.
Referring to the reduction to the ranks
of Foremen Lawson and Milo Shanks Mr..
Stillings said their cases were different.
Their reduction had resulted as a matter
Of administrative reform, he said and In
the interest OF retrenchment of expenses as
the appropriation for the Office this year is
much smaller than the amount he had ex-
pected.
The Former Suspension.
Mr.. Ashton has been acting as foreman
Of the bindery during the Illness of Mr. j.
A. B. Espey, the regular foreman, and 1t
Is alleged that when Mr.. Ashton ordered
Mr.. Miller to put certain men to work
Miller refused to do SO. and used objection
able language toward the acting foreman
1t appears from the records OF the civil
service commission that w. A. Miller was
suspended by the then public printer May
IA, 1908, because, 1t is alleged he was no
longer connected with Bookbinders Union
He was removed from Office May Is Of the
same year. and appealed to President
Roosevelt. After an investigation the Presi-
dent ordered Miilers reinstatement July Ii
1903, and at the same time declared in ef-
feet that the government printing Office In
common with all government shops and
other places where workmen are employed
was an "open shop" and that 1t was not
necessary for q man to possess working
card of any labor union to be embloSed
therein. everything else being equal
Claim of Mr. Miller's Friends.
Friends of Mr.. Miller give a somewhat
different version of the difficulty that took
place this morning between Mr.. Miller and
Mr.. Ashton. Mr.. Ashton, who had been one
of the assistant inspectors for the public
printer, had recently been made acting fore
man of binding and in that way becoming
the immediate superior of nir. Miller
The trouble between them occurred yes-
terday afternoon, when 1t is said Mr.. Ashton
went to Miller and complained about a
delay that had occurred.
This morning the matter again came up
and while Miller was taking the time of the
men under him 1t is said Ashton accosted
him and again referred to the way the work
was being done, Mr.. Miller replied II In
stated, that he understood his work and
had given satisfaction in that position for
six seven years.
At that stage OF the proceedings, friends
of Miller assert, Ashton took hold Of Mill
er's arm as II to push him, and Miller
drawing back, told him he would not per,
NIT him to lay his hands on him. Ashton.
1t is asserted. then told Miller he was sus-
pended
Miller replied to this that Ashton should
consult the order of the President He then
left the building.
1t is stated that Ashton and Miller were
opponents at the time the Typographical
order to have him dismissed from the Of
fee because he was not member OF the
union.
Some time ago a report was spread In
the government printing office to the ef-
feet that Miller had criticised the admins
tration OF the once and charges to that
effect were preferred against him, and 1t
10 said, were investigated by the public
printer They were shown to be without
foundation and the case was dismissed