The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-05

Washington, September 3.-Carroll d.
Wright, commissioner OF labor, was des-
ignated by the president in June last
to investigate, and report to him, the
causes and conditions accompanying the
present controversy between the Penn
sylvania anthracite coal operators and
their miners. Twelve days later Mr..
Wright submitted mis- findings to the
president
After carefully going over the report,
the president submitted 20 the attorney
general. who, after giving it full and
careful consideration reports that the
executive has no power whatever to
take action in the matter.
Coal production, profits and transpor-
tation are some OF the subjects discuss
ed in the report Concerning the con-
troll of the union over the miners, Mr..
Wright says:
Nearly all the operators, so far as
learned have no confidence in the abil-
ity of the miners union to control it's
own members to any .Sucn degree as to
assist in maintaining proper discipline.
Here is a sharp conflict, and one which
reaches to the very essence Cf the irri-
tating conditions that now attend an
thracite coal mining.
Some of the operators do not hesitate
to say-and it is believed Inat this
statement is favorably regarded by
some of the union officers-that no
great progress will be made toward a
more peaceful condition IN the mining
regions until the anthracite miners have
a union of their own, its autonomy in
diVidualized and not complicated with
!. that of the bitumeQOJls miners
'tAll the operators whom ! met dis
claimed distinctly that they had any
antagonism to labor unions as such.
They do object, and most seriously to
some of the methods adopted by the
unions, and they feel that when asked
to make contracts with the unions, the
latter should put themselves in a posi-
ton to be peculiarly responsible for car
rying out such contracts
Mr.. Wright concludes his report as
follows:
Much evidence has been offered to
show the general condition of miners,
their complaints and grievances, and
the complaints and grievances of the
operators. 1t is very clearly shown by
the evidence that the miners have done
something in the way Of securing disci-
pline, although they have disappointed
the operators in such attempts. The
miners feel that the corporations, when
they refuse to recognize the right OF the
unions to represent them in adjusting
any differences, cannot deny that the
officers have the power to decide wheth-
er or not the employees shall strike.
They also state that ir the operators
VIII make an agreement with them
they will carry it out as far as 1T lies in
their power to do so. but that without
an agreement they are all the time
quibbling as to the conditions under
which the miners shall work.
1T is reported to me by reputable
parties, who have no interest in the
mining business one way or the other
that the difficulty lies in the lack of or
ganiZation. This is shown by the ex-
istence OF many practices in the man.
agement Of coal mines, which appear to
be unwise, unfair and calculated to
work hardship.
There are very prosperous miners in
the coal regions and OF course there is
also, as in every industry, great destitu-
tion- The whole problem as an extreme.
ly complex one, and involves many
practices that have been built up
through long years. The mine owners
too, often have regarded the average
miner as unreasonable and likely to be
unruly when occasion offered. The
miner has come to regard the average
owner as greedy and ready to do any
thing which will take advantage os
him. Long continued conditions of this
basis of suspicion make the question
one Of great difficulty.
1t would seem reasonable that if the
men should be sure of steady work, OF
fairly steady work, they could well af.
ford, af possible, to take less wages. Oh
even continue on the present basis OF
payment 1t is insisted by many tha,
eight hours day for six days in the
week at less wages than they are now
receiving would make the miners as
prosperous a class Of workmen as can
be found in the United States.
Mr.. Wright makes the following sug-
gestions which he says seem reasona-
BILE and just:
81. That the anthracite employees
should organize an anthracite coal min.
pendent Of the United Mine Workers OF
America. The new mine, of course be
affiliated with the United Mine Work
ers and the American Federation of La.
Dor, be in the conduct of all the affairs
relating to the anthracite coal regions
the new union should preserve its owr
autonomy and be fully responsible fol
it's agreements.
"2- That considering all the facts rel.
atiye to production, ETC., etc, it would
be reasonable and just for the opera.
tors to concede at 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 produc.
tion, with the guaranty that if produc.
tion is not materially reduced thereby
the agreement shall be made for more
permanent reduction of time.
"3. That under a new organization
consisting of anthracite employees shall
be organized joint committee, on con
ciliation, composed Of representatives o.