Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1903-03-27
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION |
THEIR REPORT HAS BEEN GIVEN
TO THE PUBLIC.

| HouTs q lays WoTk-FTovloeS Tor
Board of Conciliation-Union Not
acknowledgement Condemned
for Refusing to Arbtrate at First.
The report of the anthracite COM
mission has been made public. 1t pro-
vides in general an increase of 10
per cent in the rate of wages paid to
the contract miners and reduction
in the hours per day of the other mine
workers.
Water hosting engineers will work
| hereafter in eight-hour shifts with
i 10 per cent increase, where they have
been working heretofore in such shifts.
Other engineers and pumpmen will
get per cent increase.
Firemen will have eight-hour shifts
only without an increase. Other mine
workers are to be paid the same wa
ges on the basis of an eight-hour day
that they have been receiving fof 10
hour service.
A board of Cancellation is provided
to settle disputes arising out of any
misinterpretation or application of the
commissions awards. 1t consists of
three members selected by the opera
tors and three by the miners organiza-
tions, and umpire to be chosen in case
of disagreement by one of the circuit
judges of the Third judicial district
No strikes or lock-outs are to take
place while such adjudication is pend
ing.
The commission declines to recog-
nize the United Mine Workers of
America as such by compelling opera
tors to enter into an agreement with
the organization, but modifies this in
the manner above stated, and by pro-
viding the organization shall have a
hand in the machinery where the find
ings of the commission are put in eff
feet.
The third demand of the miners that
coal be paid by weight wherever prac-
ticable is refused, the commission re-
fusing to make an obligatory decision.
1t declined to fix a standard ton where
coal is paid for by weight, and from
imposing on the owners of collieries,
where coal is now mined by car, any
obligation to pay by weight. 1t is
necessary, therefore, that check weigh
men shall be employed when requested
by majority of the contract miners.
their wages to be paid on the miners
sliding scale. Wages are provided
whereby the miners may increase their
earnings according to the increase in
the market price of. coal above the
rates awarded, being in all cases the
minimum.
There shall be no discrimination
against any workman because Of
membership or non-membership in la
Dor organizations, nor shall there be
interference by union men with non
unionists. Awards shall continue In
force until March 81, 1906.
Particular stress Is laid on the fact
that the findings are unanimous. The
entire report requires 81 printed pages,
$4,000 words.
One chapter reviews the losses oc-
casioned by the strike, which aggre-
gate approximately $1OO.9OO,0OO The
amount of increase under the award
due for work done between November
l, 1902, and April /, 1908, is dealt with
in separate clause, which provides
that 1t shall be paid on or before June
I, 1908.
One interesting chapter in the sum-
mary is that of the condition of the mi
ner's life. The commission finds the
contention is not fully justified that
the wages paid are insufficient to main
tain an American standard of living.
During the last 20 years there has
been a steady improvement in the
miners home. The social conditions
are good and the percentage of
churches is above the average.
The wages of the anthracite miners
are not lower than those paid the btu.
minous workers. The average daily
rate of earnings compares favorably
with other industries requiring equal
skill and training. The annual earn
ings of the contract miners are be-
tween $3.50 and $500 a year. Mining
should, however, be classed as a dan
gerous industry, ranking with the most
hazardous.
1 @eNSNA0AhO "AOo0hOoo inc ICPOlt
says the governor was justified in call
ing out troops, but that the mine work
ers' region as whole was we'll dis.
posed. Good citizens characterize the
boycott as immoral, anti-social, cruel
and cowardly where applied to defense.
less women and children.
1t says the blacklist is equally bad
and should be frowned down by all
honorable men.
| 1t condemns the practice of employ.
ing deputies upon request and at the
Expense Of the employers. 1t irritates
the men, secures the service of many
unprincipled persons and is against
the doctrine that the county and state
officers are abundantly able to pre-
serve the peace and protect property.
The employment of coal and iron
police is unwise.
The commission can not recommend
compulsory arbitration.
1t does think, however, that the
state and federal government should
nrovida rnaOhfnaru fo. $500.