The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-09
DECISION AGAINST MINERS.
UMPIRE WRIGHT FAvORS THE
COAL NINE OPERATORS.


SCRANTON, Pa, Sept s-President T. D.
Nichols OF District No. OF the United
Mine Workers this afternoon gave out the
full text OF the decision Of Umpire Carroll
ID. Wright on five questions submitted to
him for consideration by the Cancellation
board. The decision consists Of a docu-
ment Of about 5000 words, which reviews
show that the miners have been beaten
badly tn, umpire sustaining four of the
contentious Of the operators.
District President Nichols admitted this
evening that the decision OF Mr.. Wright
that the operators have the right to dis
charge men at any time for any cause
other than belonging to a labor union was
a severe blow to the United Mine Workers
Thsre In much bitterness h are as result.
Mr.. Wrieh- in his decision first disposes
Of the grievance Of Thomas Tanner that
he was receiving less wages for ten hours q
day than he had received previously for
twelve hours day. and decides it by say
ing that no injustice had been done Tanner.
It is true that his wages are less. but he re-
ceives II 10 per cent. more an hour than
he did before.
THIS next grievance was that Coke
Brothers 4 Co. Of Hazleton Disseminated
against employees who were not REIN
stated when work was resumed after the
strike last year. This is decided in favor
Of the miners. and taking the case Of Harry
Brocius as an example Mr.. Wright decides
that he should have employment. There
should be no discrimination against any
former employee not found guilty Of a
crime or not under arrest, Mr.. Wright
decides
In the case of alleged discrimination on
the part Of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation
Company Mr.. Wright says that 1t has not
been shown that the men we're discrim-
mated against because they were members
OF labor union. 1t was clear that there
was discrimination against a small num-
Der of men, and regarding this MIR. Wright
says that the company should have given
preference to the old men when they were
putting miners to work after the strike.
Then came the case Of William Mowry
Of the Philadelphia and Reading Company.
whose discharge raised the point as TO
whether the mine operators have the right
TO discharge at will. Concerning this Mr..
Wright says that there is no doubt that a
man has a right to quit his employment
upon giving proper notice. Therefore.
the right OF the employer to discharge
for any cause, other than belonging to
q labor union, must be sustained. In the
case Of Mowry Mr.. Wright says:
1t would have been better had the fore
man kept better control Of his temper
and thus allowed Mowry Ia have behaved
more reasonably
Mr.. Wright adds that all discharges
should be made OIL a reasonable basis
The last question decided was that OF the
rock men, who went out on strike because
the contractors for whom they worked re-
fused them the 10 per cent. allowed to the
miners by the decision OF the anthracite
strike commission. The umpire decides
that neither the rock men nor their en-
ployers we're parties to the submission be-
fore the strike commission. and. therefore,
that theee employees have no standing be-
fore the Cancellation board and are not
among the workmen affected by the award Of
the commission.
TAMAQUA, Pa. Sept. s-The decision of
Carroll d. Wright is looked upon as IA great
disappointment for the union men and a
triumph for the company. The men say
that they will now carry their case to the
courts and bring proceedings against the
Lehigh company for backlisting. on the
ground that it is violating the act of As
sembly OF 1897 which makes it INSIDE
meanor for any employer of lator 10 dis
eliminate against an employee because Of
his membership in labor organization.
An official OF the Lehigh Coal and Navi-
CATION Company said this evening;
Col. Wrght's decision is Just 1t sus-
tains us in our contention that we have a
right to employ or discharge whomever
we please.