The Washington herald., 1909-05-14
DISCHARGES
AFFECT 1S6 MEN
Lack Of Work at Capitol Is
Blamed for Lay-Off.
PUBLIC PRINTER EXPLAINS
Composifors, Machine Operators,
and s'SiaIze-up- Men, Dismissed
without Notice, May Adopt Meas
ures Employed by Navy Yard Ma
chinists TO Get ReapBOintments.

One hundred and thirty-fve men were
dropped from Ne pay rolls of the Gov
eminent Printing Office yesterday. About
twelve were discharged outright. and the
others given an indefinite furlough. which
the men look upon as about the same
thing as discharge
Those who have been let out are COM
positors. machine operators. makeup
men. OF others employed in the composing
rooms.
Public Printer Samuel 3. DouneIiy said
last night the men had to be furloughed
because Of lack Of work. and that unless
conditions improve there viii have 10 be
many more let out in the near future.
The copy has been al eaten up IN the
last week. he said. and as Congress is
Conhning Itself 20 tariff legislation. there
does not seem 20 be any prospect for
much work during this session
Received No Notice.
The men actually discharged yesterday
received no notice. but it had been ru-
mored about the Office for several weeks
that there was soon 20 be a big law
OF. The men themselves noticed that
copy w&s scarce. and when. during the
past few weeks, many Of them were told
to take part OF their annual leave. the
suspicion became general that this was
merely an attempt 10 pTOI0ng the day
when the men would have 20 be dropped.
A lack Of work was noticed particularly
n the Record and other divisions which
handle Congressional matter.
It IS the general opinion around the
printing Office that the men who have
been fUri0Ughed viii not be taken back
before next fan. when the regular session
Of Congress Will make the work heavy
again Reports indicate that the cOndi-
ton 0f the trade throughout the country
Is beginning 10 get dun and VIII continue
through July and August Those who
have made inquiries in Washington and
Baltimore say there seems to be slight
chance Of many Of the men finding en-
ployment in either city before fan.
4 state Of uncertainty is noticeable
throughout the printing office. as no one
seems to know who VIII be the next man
TO be told his services are not needed
There are endless rumOrs floating about
As 10 probable discharges and the at
tempts that viii be made on the part OF
the men to prevent them. The case OF the
machinists at the navy yard is frequently
referred 70. and many OF the compositors
yesterday expressed the hope that By a
united effort it might be possible 10 pre-
vent any further lay-offs, as had been
done by the men AZ the yard
It is said that a special melting of the
union VIII be called in the
near future 10 consider the condition Of
affairs at the printery and also TO discuss
means for aiding any Of the printers who
have large families and are in distress
no Work Until Fan.
Last night and yesterday afternoon the
furloughs at the printing Office and the
prospects Of the dismissed men was tie
main topic Of conversation in all the
rooms OF Washington. The
general opinion seemed to be that the
men laid OF viii not be able to find
regular work until fail
Some Of the men blame the depart
ments. saying there has been plenty Of
money appropriated for work. but that
the departments do not get their copy TO
the Office. Others blame the Civil Serv-
ice Commission. as a rumor has spread
through the Office that the commission
sent word to the Public Printer that he
could not legally ask the men TO take
their annual leave. but must either dis
charge or furlough the extra men. Many
of the men, as A last resort. are ap-
pealing TO their Representatives and Sen
ators-