The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-04

side. He adds:
The mine owners too often have regarded the
average miner as unreasonable and likely to
be unruly when occasion offered. The miner
and ready e to do angtng Which VIII take ady t
basis or suspicion make the question one or
great difficulty.
It would seem unreasonable that. if the men
would be sure of steady work, or fairly steady
work, they could we'll afford perhaps to take
less wages, or even to continue on the present
eight hours a day for six days in the week at
less wages than they now receiving. would
men as can be found in the United States.
Some of the miners have testified that is
sn a the of They
say they would rather work nine hours day
| with u decreased wage than on the old basis.
So there are all sorts of conflicting Statements
| from both sides. Nevertheless, considering all
the testimony, 1 cannot help telling that there
| are certain suggestions that are reasonable and
| just In the premises
Mr.. wright's Suggestions.
| First-That the anthracite employees should or
| ganize anthracite coal miners union. in its
Workers of America. The union might be
affiliated with the United Mine Workers and the
American Federation of Labor. but in the con:
duct of all affairs relating to the anthracite coal
regions the union should preserve it's owl
autonomy and be financially responsible for its
second-That it would be reasonable and jus
the ne TO Of as
| experiment, with the guanaty that if produc
ton Is not materially reduced thereby the agree
ment shall be made for a more permanent reduc
ton of time.
-, Third-That under new organization consist
ing of anthracite employees there shall be organ
| lied joint committee cOncillatlOn, composed
of representatives Of the operators and Of tn.
| union, to which all grievances shall be referred
| for investigation: and that when two-thirds o.
the committee reach decision the decision shall
| be final and binding upon both PARTIES O..
| -Fourth-That the first duty of such joint boart
shall be to enter upon a thorough inyestgatio,
of all matters that now form the burden of tn
| complaints and grievances such investigation
not to be considered in the nature of awar
ton which future contracts can be made.
Ftfth-That whenever practicable, and wher
mining Is paid for by the ton, and until tn
joint committee referred to shall have made it
be weighed by two inspectors. one representa-
the operators and one representing the men, eac
side to pay its own inspectors.
Sixth-That there shall be no interference
with nOn-union. men.
Seventh-That whenever practicable, .bargai
shall be made relative to wages time and othe
conditions under rules to be established by til
, joint committee referred to.
: | The proposition has been made that with til
experience of the past. the operators. in agree
t ment with the miners, might establish a I'm
/ form fixed percentage of deduction from a
coal mined as representing, on the average, tn
every miner would know that certain fixe
percentage is to eb deducted from the coal mine
without reference to its purity; that such rule
, while it would be unfair and absurd in som
cases, would be generous in others. and thu
an understanding reached which would avoi
all the irritatcns which now accompany the sui
ject of weighing and the deduction for impu
rites.
Meet Me at The "PIymouth."