The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-24

Washington, March 21.-The report of
the commission appointed by the presi-
dent last October to investigate the
anthracite coal strike was made public
today. The report is dated March 18th
and is signed by all the members of the
commission. In brief the commission
recommends a general increase Of wa
ges. amounting in most instances to 10
per cent. some decrease of time; the
settlement of all disputes by arbitra-
ton; fixes a minimum wage and slid
ing scale; provides against discrimina-
ton Of persons, by either the mine own
ers or the miners on account of mem
bership or non-membership in a labor
union and provides that the awards
made shall continue in force until
March 31st, 1906 The commission dis
cussed to some extent the matter Of
recognition or non-recognition of the
miners union, but declined to make any
award on this matter.
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,
and other work for which standard
rates or allowances existed at that
time, from and after November 1, 1902,
and during the life of this award. The
q under
due for work done, between November
l. 1902, and April l, 1903 to be paid on
or before June 1, 1903
2. That engineers, who are employed
in hosting water, shall have an in
crease of 10 per cent. on their earnings
between November l, 1902 and April l.,
1908, to be paid on or before June l, 1908;
and from and after April l, 1903 and
during the life of the award, they shall
have eight hour shifts, with the same
pay which was effective in April, 1902;
and where they are now working eight
hour shifts, the eight hour shifts shall
be continued and these engineers shall
have an increase of 10 per cent. on the
wages which were in the several posi-
tions in April 1902. Hosting engineers
and other engineers and pump men,
other than those employed in hosting
water, who are employed in positions
which are manned continuously, shall
have an increase of 10 per cent. on their
earnings between November 1, 1902
and April 1. 1908. to be paid on or be-
fore June /, 1908; and from and after
April 1, 1908, and during the life Of the
award they shall have an increase of 5
per cent. on the rate. of wages which
were effective in the several positions
in April 1902; and in addition they shall
be relieved from duty on Sundays,
without loss of pay, by man provided
by the employer to relieve them during
the hours of the day shift.
Firemen shall have an increase Of 10
November l, 1902 and April 1, 1903, to
be paid on or before June 1, 1903; and
from and after April 1, 1908, and dur
ing the life of the award, they shall
have eight hours shifts. with the same
wages per day, week, or month as were
paid in each position in April, 1902. All
employees or company men, other than
those for whom the commission makes
special awards. shall be paid an IN
crease of 10 per cent. on their earnings
between November l, 1902, and April l,
1908. to be paid on or before June 1,
1908: and from and after April 1. 1908
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 a
ten hour day. Overtime in excess OF
nine hours in any day to be paid at a
proportional rate per hour.
8. During life Of this award, the
present methods of payment FOR coal
mined shall be adhered to, unless
changed by mutual agreement. Qn all
OF the above awards it is provided that
allowances like these made, shall be
paid to the legal representatives of such
EN- oloyees as may have died since No
vember l, 1902
4. Any difficulty or disagreement
arising under this award, either as tC
its iterpretation or application, or il
any way growing out of the relations
Of the employers and employed, which
| cannot be settled or adjusted by con-
| sultation between the superintendent ol
| manager of the mine or mines, and the
| miner or miners directly interested, ol
! Is of a scope too large to be so settled