Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1903-03-28
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION
THEIR REPORT HAS BEEN GIVEN
TO THE PUBLIC.
Miners Get 10 Per Cent Raise-Eiaht
Hours a Days Work-Provides for
Board Of Conciliation-Union Not
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Condemned
for Refusing to Arbitrate at First.

vides in general an increase of 1C
per cent in the rate of wages paid to
the contract miners and a reduction
in the hours per day of the other mine
| workers.
Water hosting engineers will work
hereafter in eight-hour shifts with i
10 per cent increase, where they have
been working heretofore in such shifts
Other engineers and pumpmen will
get per cent increase.
Ffremen will have eight-hour shifts
only without an increase. Other mine
workers are to be paid the same wa
ges on the basis of an eight-nour day
that they have been receiving for 10
hour service
"A board of cancellation is provided
to settle disputes arising out of any
mlsinterpretation or application of the
commissions awards. 1t consists OF
three members selected by the opera
tors and three by the miners organiza-
tons, and umpire to be chosen in case
OF disagreement by one of the circuit
judges of the Third judicial district
No strikes or lock-outs are to take
place while such adjudication is pend
ing.
The commission declines to recog-
nlZe the United Mine Workers of
America as such by compelling opera
tors to enter into an agreement with
the organization, but modifies this in
the manner above stated, and by pro-
viding the organization shall have a
hand in the machinery where the find
ings OF the commission are put in eff
feet.
The third demand of the miners that
coal be paid by weight wherever prac-
ticable is refused, the commission re-
fusing to make an obligatory decision.
1t declined to fix standard ton where
coal is paid for by weight, and from
imposing on the owners of collieries,
where coal is now mined by car, any
obligation to pay by weight 1t is
necessary, therefore, that check weigh
men shall be employed when requested
by a majority of the contract miners.
their wages to be paid on the miners
sliding scale. Wages are provided
whereby the miners may increase their
earnings according to the increase in
the market price of coal above the
rates awarded, being in all cases the
minimum.
There shall be no discrimination
against any workman because Of
membership or non-membership in la
Dor organizations, nor shall there be
interference by union men with non
unionists. Awards shall continue in
force until March 81, 1906.
Particular stress is laid on the fact
that the findings are unanimous. The
entire report requires 81 printed pages,
$4,000 words.
One chapter reviews the losses oc-
casiOned by the strike, which aggre-
gate approximately 500, 100000. The
amount of increase under the award
due for work done between November
l, 1902, and April l, 1903, is dealt with
in a separate clause, which provides
that it shall be paid on or before June
l, 1903.
One Interesting chapter in the sum-
mary is that d the condition of the mi
Rers life. Tie commission finds the
contention is not fully justified that
the wages pail are insufficient to mail
tain an American standard of living
During the hst 20 years there has
been steaiy improvement in the
miners homo The social conditions
are good and the percentage of
churches is sbove the average.
The wages of the anthracite miners
are not lowe1than those paid the btu.
minous workers. The average daily
rate of earrings compares favorably
with other Industries requiring equal
skill and training. The annual earn
ings OF the contract miners are be.
tween $3.50 md $500 year. Mining
should, how@er be classed as a dan
gerous industry, ranking with the most
hazardous.
Regarding lawlessness the report
says the governor was justified in call
ing out troop, but that the mine work
ers region Is whole was we'll dis.
posed. GOOD citizens characterize the
boycott as IMMORAL, anti-social, cruel
and cowardlS where applied to defense
less women and children.
1t says TIP blacklist is equally bad
and should be frowned down by all
honorable men. .......e
f 1t condemns the practice of employ
ing deputies upon request and at the
expense of he employers. 1t irritates
the men, scures the service of many
. unprinciple persons and is against
, the doctrinI that the county and state
officers are abundantly able to pre-
serve the p ace and protect property.
r The enjoyment of coal and iron