Evening star., 1902-09-03
Result of Commissioner
Wright's Investigation.
REPORT TO PRESIDENT
ORIGIN OF THE PRESENT STRIKE
STATED.
Several Suggestions Made Which It is
Thought Would Prove of Bene-
fit to Both Sides.

membered. was instructed by President
Roosevelt to investigate the strike with
view to ascertaining if there was any
ground for federal interference He went
to New York and saw and talked with all
kinds Of people. On June % he reported to
the President. who submitted the report to
Attorney General Knox. The latter. after
full and careful consideration, reported that
the President had mo power whatever to
take action in the matter
Why the publication of the report has
been withheld until now is not known.
Mr.. Wright opens his report by a state
nent of the controversy between the coal
miners and the coal operators and concludes
it with some suggestions.
General Considerations.
Under the heading of General Considera-
TONS Mr.. Wright says
1T is is very clearly shown by
the evidence that the miners have
done something in the way of Sc
curing discipline. although they have dis
appointed the operators in such attempts
The miners claim that they have forced
their members to accept discharge whenever
they Were wrong. and have ordered men
back tp work when the strike was not au-
thDriZed by the labor union; that when the
officers Of the union have been able to see
the manager of a company concerning any
have almost invariably been able to arrive
a. an adjustment of the difficulty. but that
where the manager refused to deal with the
representatives of the union there was no
choice but To pass upon the matter accord
ing to the evidence of one side only, such
evidence being taken conclusive and the
officers being obliged to decide in favor of
the men. who have preferred a wish not To
work under existing conditions.
This, IL Is claimed, injuries the corpora
tlons. because the results have not beer
based upon full evidence. The miners feel
thdt the corporations, when they refuse to
recognize the right of the unions to repre-
sent the men in adjusting any difficulty,
cannot deny that the officers have the
power to decide whether not the en-
ployes shall strike. They also state that
II the operators will make an agreement
with them they will carry it out as far as
1t Hes In their power to do so. but that
without an agreement they are all the tins
quibbling as to conditions under which Mill
ers shall work They feel that an agree
ment In writing will protect the corpora
tioDS from unjust strikes. if they really de-
sire such protection. The way it appears
t" the average workmen is that the opera
tors DO not want an agreement that will
bind them and prevent them from following
their usual course.
ION the other hand. the operators contend
that no such agreement would have any
binding effect upon the miners. and that it
Is ridiculous and foolish to undertake To
make one: that they are interefered with
constantly in their efforts TO preserve order
and good discipline.
"Al this shows. and proves clearly that
there is no confidence existing between the
employees and their employers. and that
suspicion turks in the minds of every one
and distrust in every action on either side
1t would seem reasonable that if the
men should he sure of steady work. or fair
Is steady work. they could well afford, per
h1ps, TO take less wages. or even to con-
ti0uv on the present basis of payment. 1t
Is insisted by many that eight hours a ddy
Tor SIN days in the week at less wages than
they are now receiving would make the
miners as prosperous class of WorkmeH
a can De found in the United States.
Some of the miners have testified that
u they can be paid by honest weight they
d. 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.
Suggestions by Mr.. Wright
$50 -. re is all sorts of conflicting state
Enents from both sides. Nevertheless con-
sidering all the testimony that has been
Offered. and weighing il as carefully and as
impartially as | can. and listening to the
statements Of operators miners, capitalists.
bankers, students and others-to all of
whom ! am grateful for their generous as
sistance-I cannot help feeling that there
are certain suggestions that are reasona BILE
acd just IN the premises.
l. That the anthracite employees should
organize an anthracite coal miners union,
II! HIS autonomy TO De independent of the
United Mine Workers of America. The new
union might, of course, be affiliated with
the United Mine Workers and the American
Federation OF Labor. but in the conduct of
al the affairs relating to the anthracite
Goa! regions the new union should preserve
its own autonomy and be financially re-
sponsible for its agreements
- That. considering all the facts raIa
tive to production. cost Of coal at the mines
profits. freight traffic. etc etc. II would he
reasonable and just for the operators to
.1nce1e az once a nine-hour day; but that
THIS should be done for the period of six
months aS an experiment. in order TO test
the influence on production, with the guar
eHty that if production is not materially
reduced thereby the agreement shall he
made Tor a more permanent reduction of
time.
. That under new organization con-
siStinS ot anthracite employees there shall
b. organized joint committee on corciIia-
lion. composed Of representatives of the
operators and OF the new union. to which
al grievances as they arise Shall be re
ferred for investigation: and that when
twp-thirds of the committee reach a de-
cist1u that decision shall be final and bind
Ing upon both parties
- That the first duty of such joint
BOARD OF Cancellation shall be to enter upon
thorough examination and investigation
OF all conditions relative to mining an
thrdclte coal. 10 question of weighing to
discipline, to wage scales and to all mat
ters that now form the burden of the
Complaints and grievances of both opera
tors and miners: such investigation or ex-
ANIMATION To be made through the en-
pioyment Of experts To be selected by the
JOINT committee. the results of such in
EeStlsdtion not TO be considered in the ma
ture Of an award of board of arbitration,
Out as verified information which future
contracts can be made
. That whenever practicable and where
mining is paid for by the ton and until
the joint committee referred to shall have
made its report. coal shall be paid for by
the ton and be weighed by two inspectors
one representing the operators and one rep
resenting the men, each side TO pay its own
Inspector.
70. That there shall be no interference
with non-union men.
- That whenever practicable collective
bargains shall be made relative to wages,
time and other conditions. under rules 10
be established by the joint committee re-
ferred to.
The proposition has been made that with
the experience Of the past the operators,
In agreement with the miners might es-
tabllsh uniform or fixed percentage of
deduction from all coal mined as represent