The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-22
HOW 1T STRIKES MITCHELL.
Miners President Has Only Praise for
the Commissions Award.


DETROIT, Mich, March 21.-"The
decision of the coal strike commission
is, On the whole, decided victory for
theAniners, and 1 am pleased with it,
said President John Mitchell, of the
United Mine Workers of America, to-
night THE anthracite miners of
Pennsylvania have reason to be much
pleased with the commissions award,
and I am sure that they are. The most
important feature of the award is, Of
course, the increase Of 10 per cent
given the miners. This will result in
an annual increase Of the wages Of
140,0 anthracite miners of PennSy1-
Vania of $6,000000. The sliding scale
provided for by the commission is very
satisfactory, inasmuch as a minimum
Of $3.50 per ton is fixed. With white
ash coal at $3.50 per ton at tidewater.
the increase provided in the sliding
scale will be equivalent to 20 per cent
more on the miners wages"
President Mitchell was asked If he
was disappointed because the commits
sion did not recognize the union form
ally and he replied that he was not,
because the decision of the commits
sion and its awards were in themselves
recognition of the power and inf1u.
ence of the United Mine Workers.
After the increase of wages given
the miners" said Mr.. Mitchell, the
lHOSl llIIpOI ldIlI u Tie dWdIdS, IIOIil
the miners standpoint, are the ones
fixing a nine-hour day and providing
for a board of Cancellation. The award
gives a nine-hour day, with ten hour
pay directly to $4,000 men, and practi-
cally all Of the other employees of the
anthracite mines will get nine-hour
day by reason of their comrades short
er hours. The provision for a board
of Cancellation will result in great
good, and 1 am much pleased with it.
1t will compel investigation of both
sides of controversies between the min
ers and operators and bring the en-
ployes into closer relationship with
their men. This cannot help but bring
most beneficial results"
Mr.. Mitchell was asked whether the
portion of the~ commissions report
saying that the miners, as at present
organized offered little inducement to
the operators to enter into contractual
relations with it, referred to the fact
that the United Mine Workers was not
an incorporated body, and whether it
would have any effect on the possible
incorporation of the union.
The commission does not refer to
the union not being an incorporated
body" replied Mr.. Mitchell but to the
fact that so many of its members are
among the bituminous miners"
The commissions recommendations
OF more stringent enforcement or the
laws against child labor in the mining
region would, Mr.. Mitchell said, result
in great good While he admitted that
he thought the commissions recon-
mendation that the coal and iron po-
lice be withdrawn would be a good
thing, Mr.. Mitchell refused to discuss
the effect this might have on condi-
lions in the mining region.
How will the miners receive the de-
cision of the commission that in case
Of a deadlock in the board of concilia-
ton an umpire shall be appointed by.
the federal judge for the Third judicial
circuit of Pennsylvania? was asked
of the miners president.
This will be entirely satisfactory to
the men, he replied. "Such appoint
ment If made will come from Judge
Gray, in whom the miners have every
confidence. VIII the miners stand by
the commissions report and award?
They unquestionably will"