The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-23
Findings of the Commission Were Unanimous in
 Every Respect
JUDGE GRAY PLEASED AT
 ACCORD BETWEEN PARTIES
By the Award New Way Is Pointed Out for the Settlement of Differ ences With Arbitration
 Without Strikes.
arbitration commission in the controversy between the operators
 x,,aars ;n tba I2iruineham dis

HE arbitration commission in the
 controversy between the operators | and miners in the Birmingham dis trict, over the lwage-scale and contract for the current year, has handed down its award. after two weeks of hard work.
 The commission was composed of Judge George Gray of Delaware. T. l.. Lewis. national vice president of the United Nine workers of America; William R. Fairley, Alabama member of the execu- tive committee of the same organization Robert H. Pearson, vice president of the Central Coal and Coke company, and Charles McCrery. vice president of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com- pany.
 Fjndinqs Were Unanimous.
 The findings of the arbitrators were unanimous. and the decision tells a wonderful story when it is remembered that two of the arbitrators were taken from one side of the controversy and two from the other side. The award was practically in form twenty-four hours befre 1t was signed, but one or two or The arbitrators, 1t Is understood, were disposed to hold back. Judge Gray, now ever, felt that his work would be boot less unless all of the members could be brought to one mind and agree on an award This was at last accomplished and their findings will from their unan- imity be accepted on both sides as a just determination of the dispute
 Opens Way for Future Peace.
 Rv this award the arbitrators nave shown to the two opposing interests In the Birmingham district a way in which al, future disputes may be settled with ont the necessity of any stoppage that will paralyze the business interests of the community.
 .Too great stress cannot be laid" said one of the board, lon the fact that the parties in controversy here in Birming- ham took to arbitration, before resorting to strike. and this is in great contrast to the course pursued elsewhere. In the anthracite district there was protracted strike in force long before the methods Of arbitration were invoked.
 "I violate no confidence when I state that this was most gratifying condition to Judge Gray, and one of the moving reasons that caused him to forego his va- cation and come to Birmingham, to de- eide this controversy. Since coming he has been more and more impressed with the friendly and fair attitude that the opposing parties bear toward one another, and it is only em- phasized by his recollection of the ex- treme animosity that existed between the miners and operators last year in Penn sylvania,
 Recorder NeilI Enthusiastic.
 ''Dr Neill professor of political econ omy in the Catholic university at Wash ineton, who was the recorder of the com mission, and who acted in the same ca pacity to the anthracite commission, was even more enthusiastic over the situation. He thought that this submission to arbi- tration marked a distinct advancement in economic contentious hereabouts. He pointed out the intelligence, general as well as special. of the representatives of the mine workers, and augured as a re- suit of this that future disputes would be subjected to arbitration
 Chief Points Decided.
 The chief matters decided by the board were in regard to the wage scale. which the award advanced 211 cents on both the maximum and minimum. making 1t 47h to 57h cents. as against 45 and 65 cents last year.
 semi-monthly pay day Is established with non-transferapie pay checks.
 The scale for narrow work based on the Pratt seam is reduced IS cents per yard
 DifferentiaI Committee.
 Thomas c. Bush and Edward Flynn are anpointed a committee to adjust the dif- ,erentiai between pick and machine min ng.
 A minimum of twenty days is fixed as . months work.
 r,0erent,als at Jefferson and Kimberly
 (contInusd lon Second Pase)