Evening star., 1923-10-06
CHARGE FAVOR|1ES'
| W|NExE|NPTIONAT
|.ENGRAV|NG BUREAU
Union Officials Declare
"SWeat-Shop Pacemak-
ers" Given Privileges.
LIST FOUR COMPLAINTS
AS INQUIRY is STARTED
"Group of 20" Said to Be Given
Best Equipment and Help, With
Spoilage Overlooked.

Alleged favoritism shown by Off
cials Of the bureau Of engraving and
printing to certain group of en-
ployes in the printing division led to
charges by the Plate Printers Union
that Sweat shop" conditions existed
in the division. 1t was learned today
as the bureau investigation of the
charges got under way.
Specifications of the general charges
are being drawn up by union officials
for presentation to the Investigating
committee announced yesterday by
Director Hill Of the bureau.
Committee Approved.
At the headquarters of the Plate
Printers Union here today It was
stated this morning that the COM
mittee Of five selected by Director
Hill was entirely satisfactory to the
executive committee of the union, and
confidence was expressed in the sim
certify and integrity of this commit
tee. which is headed by Edward Nee
han of the printing division.
Plate printers who will be inter-
viewed by the committee. it was
stated at union headquarters, will
present the following four specifca.
practices in the bureaus printing
division:
First: A favored group of approx
mately twenty employees out of a
force Of about $40 in the printing d.
vision obtained in the past exemp-
tfon from discharge during force re-
organization. ~,.
Second: Because this alleged group
fse willing to work at top speed as
paee-setters. those composing 1T are
exempted from penalties; In work
spoiiage; (such penalties include
paying the cost for. work spoiled and
charging, such spoilage against the
production record OF the naen.)
Given Best Eauipmeat.
Third: This alleged group is given
preference in selecting the best
presses. the best assistants and the
best working materials. U
Fourth: The same, group Is given
assurance of immunity from dismissal
In any future lay offs.
Union officials stated today that the
ing such exemptions and granting
such privileges to this group that
they are enabled to go ahead at
nerve-wrackfng production speed
which is causing discomfort and, dis
couragement among the average
Officials at the bureau of engraving
ana printing deny knowledge OF any
such conditions in the printing diyi-
sion and are awaiting the outcome
OF the action of the Investigating
committee before making statements
Pledges have. been made that IL any
unjust or unreasonable conditions are
discovered. steps for readJustment
VIII be taken Immediately.
miftsa mean~naie, nanndssd the inxestigatinE sam-
Martin Dyer, Francis Miller, Jeremiah
Murphy and David Fulton, have start
ed operations and are gathering in
statements and information concern.
ing conditions in the printing d.
vision. The first named three are
plate printers, while the last named
two are section foremen in the print
ing division. >tf
As a popularity incidental to the
charges, which are made by union Of
the alleged favored group" are mem.
bers. or the union themselves. t
A. r. L. Delegate Sends Wire.
From Portland, Oreg., where the
American Federation of Labor con-
vention is in session, there came a
telegram last night signed by Thomas
McQuade, delegate of the Interna-
ttonal Plate Printers and Die Stamp
ers' Union, which said: -s
Protesting speed-up methods prac-
ticed at the bureau OF engraving and
printing, pitting man against man to
force production, intimidatfng men
with idea ,disrupting plate printers
union, resolution Endorsed by resoiu-
tions committee" -,,ls@s ~ -
This telegram indicated that the A.
F.. of L. convention, which by routine
follows Endorsements OF the resoisi-
tions committee, may throw its sup
port TO- the plate printers union In
the fight against printing division
conditions. sSt