The Labor enquirer., 1884-11-15
The Weekly Report Of the Secretary
Coal MINERs' HEADQUARTERS OF !
COLORADO, Ngw MEXICO, WYo-
& Big MING AND UTAH. ]

4 COLORADO, NBw MEXICO, WYo-
ID lg MING AND UTAH. }
The Conciliatlon Board is now firmly
established tribunal, and we have cause
to congratulate each other upon the sue
cess of the principle we SO consistently
fought for. The objects of the board, as
set forth in the constitution governing
the same, are -
"a The settlement of all wage dis,
putes and differences, local and general,
that now exist and may hereafter arise
between the coal operators and opera
tives upon just and equitable basis.
~ The adopting of measures that
will bring about a uniform rate of wages,
where all conditions are equal, to the
end that there sha ] be no discrimination
tolerated. ---.s--
(3) The devisirg and putting in to op
GRAFTON Of plans fer the mutual protec-
ton of the interests of both parties, to
the end that marks ct prices and wages
be kept up to the highest possible stand
ard, and at the same time.not be burden
some or unjust to the consumer.
az "The arriving at an understanding
which shall determine the distribution
of the profits of trade, giving due regard
to the capital invested and the proper
remuneration of labor"
The sources of all labor and wage dis
putes are by those objects covered with
practical remedy, so far as remedy is
applicable under the WAGE system. If
faithfully adhered to, the Cancellation
Board will prove a blessing to the coal
mining industry Of this state and ada
cent territories Its permanent success
willto great measure depend upon the
miners keeping their organization intact,
and preserving the conservative policy
which wpredominates. The wisdom
centered in organized labor is a power
in itself, and when developed will coun-
teract the influence OF the avaricious, aud
lead to compromise, conciliation and
peace.
There can be no question but that to
deal with men upon the basis of busi-
ness equality, is the path to concession
and cessation of strife. That it is as much
to the interest of one party as the other
to effect an understanding by which all
differences may be settled without resort
to strikes. Those operators that have so
wisely Joined issue with US can now rest
assured that their banks will be kept
going, and as consequence they will
not have to contend with the great risk
of being ruined by a strike. To the op-
eratives, on the other hand, the principle
will secure fair portion of the profits Of
trade, bring reason instead of force to
bear upon all questions that may arise,
and the spirit of both parties thus mutul-
ally combined will crown the industry
with! permanent success.
Looking back over our labors for the
past week we find that the business
transacted is but very little, but never
theless we are satisfied that it has been
fairly done. We are sensible that moth
ing effectual and lasting can be accom-
plished by rushing matters. We have
moved cautiously and every step has
been in the advancement of our cause.
The first point we raised, and which
We successfully carried, was the classify
ing of the mines in the north into two
groups. Group No. l includes the (l) Boul-
der Valley mine, (2) Northrop, 81 Mitch
ell, a. )superior. (5) Star (6) Jackson,
(7) Baker, (S) Stewart, (9) Garfield; and
group No. 2, the ~ Welch, (2) Marshall,
(9) Fox.
The principal point that we had in
view in arranging those groups was, to
. have an uniform rate of digging estab-
lished where the conditions are equal.
Then we raised the question as to what
should be the increase in the price OF
digging within the several groups. We
asked an advance of 20 cents per ton all
around, and this provoked a heated dis
eussion of two days duration. In Satur
day mornings session the operators sub
mitted a proposition that they would
concede 5 cents a TON, but we declared if
nothing better or more satisfactory would
be conceded that the whole matter
should 90 before an umpire.
Later on w, submitted an amendment
asking for Is cents, and finally the mat
ter was com promised at123 cents per ton,
& making grour No. 1digging price, $l.123
cents, and group No. 2, 929 cents per ton
of 1000 poun.is. This was only carried
by seven votes to three. 1t so happened
that ore of tile votes cast on the opera
tors side in cur favor was proxy. and
at the afternoon session one of the oper-
ators raised aprotest, and offered a reso.
Indthe same, The chair,
hUw5s. tried that, taking into consid-
Grafton - points raised upon the le-
gality al fsEgality of the vote cast, the
-s decision sh5 be sustained b.. = --
At Monday session we submitted q
demand f!rS3 net per day for all
undergror abor, and outside hands,
N'"' pc One of the operators
NOV ,ff.s 4