Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-03-22
COAL COMMISSIONS
REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Miners Granted Substantial
Increase In Par.
WORK DAY is ALSO SHORTENED.
Increase Dates From Time of Resum.
ing Work Last Fall-Union Not Di-
rectIy Recognized and Miners Evi.
IDENTITY Not Fully Satisfied.

ing Work Last FalI-Union Not Di.
rectly Recognized and Miners Evi.
IDENTITY Not Fully Satisfied.
Washington, March 21,-The report
of the commission appoiaxd by the
president last October to investigate
the anthracite coal strike, was made
public today. The report is dated
March 18, and is signed by all the
members of the commission, who are
Judge George Gray, of Delaware; La,
Dor Commissioner Carroll D. Wright,
| and Brigadier General John M. Will
son, both of this city; Bishop John L.
Spalding, OF Illinois; Thomas R. Wat
kins, of Pennsylvania, and Edward w.
| Parker, of this city. The report is
to be illustrated and it will be accom-
panied by the testimony taken by the
| commission, but thus far only the re-
port proper has been printed. This
alone covers 81 pages of printed mat
ter.
In brief, the commission recon.
mends a general increase of wages
amounting in most instances to 10 per
cent; some decreases of time; the
settlement of all disputes by arbitra
tion; fixes a minimum wage, and q
sliding scale; provides against dis
elimination of persons by either the
mine owners or the miners on ac'
count of membership or non-member'
ship in labor union, and provides
that the awards made shall continue
in force until March 81, 1906. The
commission discussed to some extent
the matter of recognition or non-rec:
onition of the miners union, but de
clined to make any award on this mat
ter
The commission also makes a mum.
Der of recommendation which may be
summarized as follows:
The discontinuance of the system OF
employing the coal and iron police"
because this force is believed to have
an irritating effect and resort to the
regularly constituted peace authorities
in case of necessity.
A stricter enforcement of the laws
in relation to the employment of chill
dren.
Following is a synopsis of the com.
missions summary of the awards
made:
That an increase Of 10 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 that time,
from and after Nov ], 1902, and dur.
ing the life of this award. The
amount of increase under the award
due for work done between Nov. 1,
1902, and April, 1903, to be paid on OF
before June /, 1903
That engineers employed in hoist
ing water shall have an increase of 10
per cent on their earnings between
Nov. l, 1902 and April /. 1903, and
from and after April 1, 1908, and dur
ing the life of the award, they shall
have eight hour shifts.
Hosting engineers and other engi'
neers and pump men, other than those
employed in hosting water, who are
employed in positions which are 50
manned continuously, shall have an
increase of 10 per cent ON their earn.
ings between Nov. 1, 1902, and April
I, 1903, and from and after April 1,
1903 and during the life of the award
they shall have an increase of S per
cent on the rates of wages which wera
effective in the several positions in
April 1902; and in addition they shall
be relieved from duty on Sundays,
without loss of pay, by a man provid,
ed by the employer to relieve them
during the hours of the day shift.
That firemen shall have an increase
of 10 per cent on their earnings be
tween November, 1902, and April 1.
1908, to be paid on or before June
1903, and from and after April 1. 1903
and during the life of the award they
shall have eigAt-heur shifts, with the
same wages per day, week or months
as were paid in each position In April
1902 All employees or company men,
other than those for whom the com
mission makes special awards, shall
be paid an icrease of 10 per cent or
their earnings between Nov. l. 1902
and April l. 1903, to be paid on or be
fore June /, 1908, and from and after
April 1, 1908, and during the life oil
this award they shall be paid on the
basis of nine-hour day, receiving
therefor the same wages that were
paid in April, 1902, for a ten-nour day
Overtime, in excess of nine hours, in
any day to be paid at proportionate
rate per hour.
During the life of this award the
present methods of payment for coal
mined shall be adhered to unless
changed by mutual agreement.
In all of the above awards. it Is pro
vided that allowances like those made
shall be paid to the legal representa-
tives of such employees. as may have
died since Nov l, 1902
The commission expresses the opin
ion that differences can best be set
tied by consultation by the employer
with a committee chosen by his EN-
ployes" but they add that "in order tc
be entitled to such recognition the la
Dor organization must give the same
| recognition to the rights of the EN-
ployer and of others which it demands
for itself and for its members"
| They add
THE union must not undertake to
assume, or to interfere with the man
agement of the business of the EN-
| pIoyer"
Sisters Departing.
Brest. France. March 21-Ona hun