Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
SAYS UNION OFFICIAL
LOST 1O7 DAYS IN YEAR
Bureau Director Ralph Explains
Why ]. ]. Deviny Was Refused
Leave Without Pay.

why j. j. Deviny. president of the
washington Plate Printers Union. was
denied leave without paw from his
duties as an employee of the bureau of
engraving and printing to attend to
business of the union is explained nv
Joseph E. Ralph. director of the bu-
reau. The international Steel and Cop
per Plate Printers Union of North
america. as well as the local organi-
cation, has adopted resolutions CEN
surlng Director Ralph for his refusal
TO grant leave without pay to Presi-
oent Deviny. ito appear before COM
mittees of Congress and look after the
interests of the organization"
The request for leave was stated to
De that he desired to attend to BUSH
ness of the union" stated Director
Ralph, with no reference to appear
ance before a congressional committee
ana no official notice was received
from congressional committees thai
MS presence was desired
Says Deviny Was Absent 4O6 DAVIS.
This empIoye was absent 1G7 DAVIS j.,
the fiscal year ended June 30 1919. w,s
absent 225 days in the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1916, and has been absent "A
DAYS IN the period from July /, 1915, to
data total of 400 days in a little less
than two and one-half years, compris-
ing 4O6 working days, or an absence of
considerably more than half of the time
during that period.
During this time there was a contiu-
uous absence of seven months from
february l, 1916, to september !. 1916,
ana IN view of this record it Isl hard to
conceive how any one can find fault
with refusal to permit this man TO
take another month from his work"
Director Ralph then makes the sug-
gestion:
If it is necessary for the printers to
have representative at the Capitol
during the sessions of Congress. it NAV
be asked why they cannot be served IN
this way by the attendance at the Cant
tol of the member of the executive
committee of the union who is paid a
salary which is understood to be s., 600
year as editor of their official organ,
and who is not employed at the bu-
reau.
Has No Apology to Make.
THE director of the bureau of en-
craving and printing has no apology
whatever to make for refusing the
president OF the Plate Printers Union
this additional months leave, as the
record shows that he has gone far be-
yond the limit in granting this man
permission to he absent in the last two
and d half years.
Director Ralph declares that he has,
and will when possible. continue 10
excuse from duty employees of the
bureau who represent organizations
that are striving to procure an increase
in salary for the government workers
or are aiming to provide better work
ing conditions for the employees in the
government service.
In support of his statement he cites
the assistance he has given Mrs. Mary
f. Ganzhorn and Miss Gertrude Nc
Nalley, representing the Women's
Union at the bureau. These young
women declare that the director has
given them nothing but encoura cement
in their fight for higher scale of
wages.
Mr. Ralph has always excused us
from duty when our cause necessitated
an absence from the bureau" they say.
Furthermore. he has personally inter-
ceded with Congress in our behalf
Director Ralph positively denied that
a gag rule" existed at the bureau.
I'm the face Of what Mrs. Ganzhorn
and Miss McNalley say. how could such
a thing be possible" he explained.