Gilpin observer., 1903-03-26
REPORT OF THE ANTHRACITE
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION


Of the commission appointed by the
President last October to investigate
the anthracite coal strike was made
public yesterday. 1t is unanimous.
In. brief, the commission awards a
general increase in wages amounting
In most instances to ten per cent; some
decrease of time; the settlement of all
disputes by arbitration; fixes a mini
mum wage and sliding scale; provides
against discrimination of persons by
either the mine owners or the miners
on account of membership or non-mem-
bership in a labor union, and provides
that the awards made shall continue in
force until March 81, 1906. The COM
mission discussed to some extent the
matter of recognition or non-recogni-
ton OF the miners union, but declined
to make any award on this measure.
Following is the commissions own
summary of the awards made in the
anthracite coal strike:
That an increase of ten per cent. over
and above the rates paid in the month
Of April, 1902, be paid to all contract
miners for cutting COAL yardage and
other work for which standard rates or
allowances existed at the time. from
and after November l, 1902, and during
the life of this award. The amount Of
increase under the award due under
work done between November, 1902,
and April 1, 1903, to be paid on or be-
fore June 1, 1903
2. That engineers who are employed
in hoisting water shall have an increase
of ten per cent. on their earnings be
tween November 1, 1902. and April 1,
tn hn rotd I
1903, and from and after April 1, 1903
and during the life of the award they
shall have eight-hour work shifts with
the same pay which was effective in
April, 1902, and where they are now
working eight-hour shifts shall have
an increase Of ten per cent. on the
wages which were effective in the sew
eral positions in April, 1902.
Hosting engineers and other engin-
eers and pumpmen, other than those
employed in hoisting water. who are
employed in positions which are
manned continuously. shall have an in
crease of ten per cent on their earnings
between November l, 1902, and April l,
1903, to be paid on or before June 1,
1903, and during the life of the award
they shall have an increase of five per
cent. on the rates Of wages which were
effective in the several positions in
April, 1902, and in addition they shall
be relieved from duty on Sundays, with
out loss of pay. by man provided by
the employer to relieve them during the
hours of day shift.
That firemen shall have an increase
of ten per cent on their earnings be-
tween November, 1902. and April 1,
1903, to be paid on or before June l..
1903, and from and after April 1, 1903.
and during the life Of the award they
shall have eight-hour shifts. with the
same wages per day, week or month.
as were paid in each position in April,
1903, and all employees or company men
other than those for whom the commits
sion makes special awards shall be paid
an increase of ten per cent. on their
earnings between November 1. 1902.
and April 1, 1903. to be paid on or be-
fore June 1. 1903. and from and after
April 1. 1903, and during the life of this
award they shall be paid on the basis
Of a nine-hour day, receiving therefor
the same wages as were paid in April.
1902, for q ten-hour day. Overtime in
excess of nine hours in any day to be
paid at a proportionate rate per hour.
3. During the life Of this award the