The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-09-03
PRESIDENT WITHOUT
POWER OVER STRIKE
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casiOn offered The miaer has come to
regard the average owner as greedy and
ready to do anything which VIII take
advantage of him. ong-continued con
ditiOns on this J9sis of suspicion make
the question one Of great difficulty
It would seem reasonable that If the
men should he sure of steady work,
or fairly steady work. they could well
afford, perhaps. to take less wages, or
even to continue on the present basis Of
payment It IS insisted by many that
eight hours day for six days in the
week at less wages than they are now
receiving would make the miners as
prosperous class Of wOrkmen as can
be found in the United States
Some Of the miners have testified that
If they can be paid by honest weight
they do not care anything about the
increase OF wages They say they would
rather work nine hours a day with
decreased wage than on the old basis.
Believes in Miners Union.
So there are ali sorts Of conflicting
statements from both sides. Neverthe-
less, considering all the testimony that
has been offered and weighing it care
fully and as impartially as I can and
listening TO the statements of operat-
ors. miners. capitalists, bankers, stu
dents and others-to all of ai.0m I am
grateful for their generous assistance
! cannot help feeling that there are Ger
tain suggestions that are REASONABLE
and just in the premises
Under the heading Suggestions That
Seem Reasonable and Just" he notes
the following
/ That the anthracite employees
should organize an anthracite coal min
ers' union, in its autonomy to be indie
pendent Of the United Mine Workers OF
America The new union might, OF
course. be affiliated with the United
Mine Workers and the American FEEDER
alton OF Labor but in the conduct Of all
the affairs relating TO the anthracite
coal regions the new union should pre-
serve its own autonomy and be financial
" responsible fer its agreements.
Nine-Hour Day Should Be Tried.
?. That, considering all the facts Tela-
tive 70 production. cost Of coal at the
mines. profits. freight traffic, etc, 1t
would be reasonable and just for the
operators to concede at once a nine hour
day, but that this should be done for
the period of six months as an expert
ment IL order TO test the Inference on
production, with the guarantee that #
production is not materially reduced
thereby the agreement shall be made
for a more permanent reduction of time
3. That under a new organization con-
sisting OF anthracite employees there
shall be organized Joint committee on
Cancellation. cOmI ed OF represents
tives Of the operators and Of the new
union. TO which all grievances as they
arise shall be referred for Investigation
and that when two-thirds Of the com
mittce reach a decision that decision
shall be final and binding upon both
parties.
Cor practical illustration see appen-
dix H-contract Of bituIninious coal
miners and CperatOrs.)
Should Form Joint Board.
/ That one of the duties OF the mem
bers of such joint board of Cancellation
shall be TO enter upon a thorough exam
ination and Investigation OF all condi-
lions relative to mining examination and
investigation Of all conditions relative 10
mining anthracite coal to question Of
Weighing, to discipline, 10 wage scales
and 20 all matters that now fern the
/ burden Of the complaints and grievances
Of both operators and miners; such in
vestiEation or examination to be made
through the employment Of experts to
be selected by the joint committee; the
results OF such investigation not to be
considered in the nature Of an award OF
board Of arbitration but as verified
Information or which future contracts
can te made.
Inspectors Representing Both.
;. That whenever practicable and
where mining is paid for by the ton
and until the joint committee referred
TO shall have made is report, coal shall
be paid for by the ton and be weighed
by two inspectors. one representing the
operators aud one representing the men.
each side TO pay its own inspector.
3. That there shall be 40 interference
with non-union men
7 That whenever practicable collect
i've bargains shall be made relative 70
wages. time and other conditions. under
rules tc be established by the joint com
mittec referred to-
The conclusions stated above, Mr..
President. seem tc me, in the light Of
all the evidence that has been furnished
me. 10 DC reasonable and just, ami
should Jhey be adopted. with some
mod ficalioEs perhaps here and there.
they would lead 10 a more peaceful and
satisfactory condition in the anthracite
ccal regions. They may not lead. even
if adopted fully, TO perfect peace nor
to the millennium, but I believe they will
help 10 aIIay irritation and reach the
Day when the anthracite coal region
snail be governed systematically and ia
! accordance with greater justice AMI
higher moral principles than now gen
orally prevail on either side.
am. Mr.. President,
Very respectfully.
Nnmr nLaaiAr.l aarEaEL