Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-23
TEN PER CENT.
Increase for Miners Awarded
by Strike Commission.
Some Decrease in Decentralization
to Settle All Disputes.
Sliding Scale and Minimum Rate Of
Wages Settled.

Washington, March 21-The report
of the commission appointed by the
President, last october, to investigate
the anthracite coal strike was made
public, today. The report is dated
March is and is signed by all the men,
bers of the commission who are Judge
George Gray of Delaware; Labor Com
missioner Carol D. Wright and Brig
General John NJ. Wilson, both of this
citv: Bishop John l.. Spaulding of
Illinois; Thos. H. Watkins of Pennsyl-
vania; e. E. Clark of Cedar Rapids.
iowa; and Edward w. Parker of this
city. The report is to be illustrated
md it will be accompanied by the testi-
mony taken by the commission but
thus far only the report has been
printed. This alone covers 81 pages of
printed matter.
In brief the commission recommends
I general increase of wages amounting
in most instances of 10 per cent, some
decrease of time; the settlement of all
disputes by arbitration; fixes a mini
mum wage and 4 sliding scale; pro-
vides against discrimination of per-
sons of either the mine owners or the
lon-membership in a labor union and
provides that the awards made shall
continue in force until March 81, 1906.
The commission discussed to some ex-
'ent the matter of recognition or nom
recognition of the Miners Union but de-
clined to make any award on this mat
ter.
Following is the commissions own
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 con-
tract miners for cutting coal, yardage
md other work for which standard
rates or allowances eXnsted at that
time, from and after November l, 1902,
md during the life Of this award.
Fhe amount of increase under the
award due for work done between Nov.
[, 1902, and April l, 1908, to be paid on
or before June l, 1903.
Il-That engineers who are employed
n hoising water shall have an increase
If 10 per cent. on their earnings be-
tween November /, 1902, and April /,
1903, to be paid on or before June i
1908: and from and after April l, 1909,
md during :he life of the award, they
shall have S-hour shifts, with the same
oay which was effective in April, 1902,
md where they are now working s.
hour shifts. the S-hour shifts shall be
continued and these engineers shall
nave an increase of 10 per cent. on the
wages which were effective in the sew
raj positions in April, 1902.
Hosting engineers and other engi-
reers and pumpmen, other than those
Employed in hosting water, who are
employed in positions which are
manned continuously shall have an in
crease of 10 per cent. on their earnings
between November ], 1902, and April l.
900. to be paid on or before June l,
1908 and from and after April l, 1903,
md during the life of the award, they
shall have an increase of per cent. on
he rates of wages which were effective
n the several positions in April, 1902;
md in addition they shall be relieved
rom duty on Sundays, without loss of
gay, by man provided by the en-
ployer to relieve them during the
hours of the day shift.
That fireman shall have an increase
of 10 per cent. on their earnings be-
tween November 1. 1902, and April /,
1908, to be paid on or before June l
1908, and from and after April /, 1903
md during the life of the award they
shall have eight hour shifts with the
same wages per day, week or months
is were paid in each position in April
1, 1902, all employees or company men,
other than those for whom the COM
mission makes special awards shall be
raid an increase of 10 per cent on their
earnings between Nov. 1, 1902, and
April 1, 1903, to be paid on or before
June /, 1903 and from and after April
1, 1903 and during the life of the award
CONTINUED on page 81