The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-22
Increase of 10 Per Cent. Means $6,OOO,-
900 q Year More to be Divided
Among 100000 Men.
EFFECT OF THE SLIDING SCALE
WITH COAL $3.50 AT TIDEWATER
MINERS WILL GAIN 20 PER CENT.
Not Disappointed Because the Union
Failed to Secure Formal Recognf-
tiOn-Views Of Others.

DETROIT, Mich, March N-"The de-
cision of the anthracite coal strike COM
mission is on the whole a decided victory
for the miners, and am pleased with it,"
said President John Mitchell, of the United
Mine Workers Of America, in an interview
tonight.
THE anthracite miners of Pennsylvania
have reason to be much pleased with the
commissions awards, and l am sure that
they are he said In reply to a question
as to whether the miners were given as
much as had been hoped for Mr. Mitchell
answered after an instants elaboration:
Il do not care to say
THE most important feature of the
awards" he continued, 'is, of course, the
increase of 10 per cent. given the miners.
This will result in an annual increase in
the wages of 10000 anthracite miners of
Pennsylvania of s6O00,000. The sliding scale
provided for by the commission is very
satisfactory, inasmuch as a minimum of
$3.50 per ton is fixed. With white ash coal
at $50 per ton at tidewater, the increase
provided in the sliding scale will be equiv
alent to 20 per cent. more on the miners
wages"
President Mitchell was asked IL he was
disappointed because the commission
did not recognize the union formally, and
he replied that he was not, because the
decision of the commission and it's awards
were in themselves recognition of the power
and influence of the United Mine Workers.
After the increase of wages given the
miners" said Mr.. Mitchell, 'the most i'm
portant of the awards from the miners
standpoint are the ones fixing a nine-hour
day and providing for a board of concilia-
ton. The award gives a nine-hour dav
with ten hours pay directly to $4,000 men,
and practically all of the other employees
of the anthracite mines will get nine
hour. day by reason of their comrades
shorter hours.
The provision for board of conciliation
will result in great good. and l am much
pleased with it. 1t will compel investiga-
ton of both sides of controversies between
the miners and operators and bring the en-
ployers into closer relationship with their
men. This cannot help but bring most ben
eficial results
Mr. Mitchell was asked whether the por-
tion of the commissions report saying the
miners union as at present organized Of
fered little inducement to the operators to
enter into contractual relations with il, re-
ferred to the fact that the United Mine
Workers was not an Incorporated body and
possible incorporation Of the union.
THE commission does not refer to the
union not being an Incorporated body" re-
piled Mr.. Mitchell, but to the fact that so
many of its members are among the BIZ
luminous miners"
The commissions recommendations of
more stringent enforcement of the laws
against child labor in the mining region
would, Mr.. Mitchell said. result in great
good. 81 think that this will result said
he, lin securing the passage OF a law that
is now pending in the Pennsylvania Legis-
lature raising the age limit at which chill
dren may go to work to fourteen years for
boys in the breakers and sixteen for en-
tering the mines
President Mitchells attention was called
to the statement in the commissions report
that conditions in the mining region do not
fully justify the adverse criticisms made
before the commission by the miners rep
resentatives.
II do not care to discuss that" Mr..
Mitchell said.
s.I am not an impartial observer of those
conditions, of course, and / may take an
extreme view of them. Such things are to
a great extent. you know. the results Of
ones point Of view, and mine Is perhaps