The Washington herald., 1909-04-19

Complete retracton. proof Of its charges
of immortality among the women OF the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing. or
defense against a libel action In the
courts-one Of these courses must be fol
lowed by the morning newspaper which,
on Saturday. printed the article under
the caption Seek Moral Uplitt."
Cold and clean. these alternatives were
laid down at meeting OF the aggrieved
women yesterday afternoon in Typograph-
ical Temple Businesslike is a mild word
for the manner IN which the business
was transacted There was no hysJeria,
no waving of arms, no heated talk about
the defenseless women at the mercy Of
the public prints. With their own con-
victions confirmed by the storm of pro-
test that has greeted the article from
legislators. business men, professional
men. and labor organizations. the women
dispatched their work in short order.
To eliminate unnecessary delay. the
different sections Of the Bureau Of En-
craving and Printing were represented by
two or three delegates each. the whole
body forming Federal Labor Union I2.776.
Promises Not FuIhued.
That the managers Of the morning news
paper promised a full retraction. and
promised that the retraction would be Civ
en- greater prominence than the original
article, was brought out IN a report by
Miss SalIie Graf1in. As result Of this
promise, Miss Grafiin said:
I'VE find yesterday morning. only a
news article on an inner page. and even
the statements Of Mrs. Valesh and Mr.
Foster are given IN a different form from
what was promised
Mrs. Eva Macdonald Valesh is chair
man o. the welfare committee OF the
Women's Union: a national organizer OF
the American Federation of Labor, and
assistant editor Of the Federationist.
The women passed a resolution that
the retraction must be complete, II the
article cannot be substantiated. If proper
retracton is not made severe measures
will be employed. Two attorneys have
already been consulted with that end IN
view. They are now investigating the
law TO see il a labor union. as an or
ganization, has a right of action for libel
against the newspapers.
Following the declaration already made
by members Of the Washington section Of
the Womens Civic Federation that in
spite Of the assertion in the article that
II was not In any way responsible for
the statements IN the paper rejecting on
the character Of the women Of the bu-
reau. a letter was read from Mrs. Louisa
v Spencer, chairman OF the Washington
section Of the Womer's Civic Federation
Knew Nothing of Article.
The letter was 60 Mrs Valesh, and is
as follows:
Tie Washington section Of the Woman's Depart
mant Of the Welfare Work of the Civic FaIe4a-
tion deeply regrets the article which APPEARED in
the Washington Post Of Saturday. Arril Y. Isa
1t wishes 70 sy through you 70 All the employees
OF the Bureau Of EngTaTing and Printing that they
knew nothing q the article until they rad it in
the Post, and that they uot responsible for any
q the statements made IN L. and knew Of DO
such movement the need for it
Employees OF the bureau stated al yes
terday's meeting that they had not at
any time believed the Women's Civic Fed
Grafton had inspired the allegations in
the article. Others stated that in view OF
Mrs. Spencer's Official denial. and the
guarantee by Mrs Valesh Of the good
faith and sympathy Of the Civic Fedora
tIon, they could not see where the paper
in question had any ground for its sen
sational charges.
1t was decided to have the welfare
committee OF the women's Union and
Mr.. Foster. Of the Mems Plate Printing
Union, write TO the editor Of the paper
and remind him OF his promise. per-
sOnally made to a committee Of women.
TO retract the statements This letter
VIII be written pending the adoption Of
more serious measures.
Among those who were present at the
meeting were Mr.. and Mrs. w II. Peck
Mr. Peck is foreman Of Division No. 8.
cf the Bureau Of Printing and Engraving.
and Mrs. Peck was formerly a printers
assistant. Both made short addresses of
sympathy and encouragement
Has Aroused Sympathy.
Charles T. Smith. editor OF the Plate
Printer. spoke as the representative of
the plate printers union. He said:
believe this attack. although unfort1nats in if.
self, has 50 aroused .he sympathy Of cveTv mem.
Der Of the community that it has swept away
what little opposition there may have been 70 the
demand for q S2a-day wage. ! believe the women
Of the bureau could set the s. a day frum Con
gTess tomoTTow Il were In regular session and IL
a position 10 handle the matter.
The men Of the Bureau q EnaTaTing and Print.
ing indignant at the article which appeared
IN the Post Saturday that they would have
defended the women employees from harm II they
had 20 do battle for them The association Of
men and women in work OF the bureau. 50 far from
bringing about a low moral standard has made
The men much better because they are constantly
associated with good women
Many Of the plate printers marry women who