The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-03-26
MITCHELL IS PLEASED
Says Decision of Strike Commission
is Victory Fox the Miners.
TIRE NEWS IN THE COAL REGIONS


Tire Award Does Not Meet With Full
Favor With Mine workers-ss.ooo
coo In Back Pay-operstors Predict
Higher Prices For Coal.
Detroit. Mich. March 2S.-"The de-
cision of the anthracite coal strike
commission is on the whole decided
victory Tor the miners. and am
pleased with it," said President John
Mitchell. OF the United Mine Workers
Of America. in an interview Saturday
night The anthracite miners CT Penn
sylyania have reason TO be much
pleased with the commissions awards.
and am sure that they are" he said
In reply 20 question as to whether
the miners We're given as much as
had been hoped FOR Mt Mitchell an
swered after an instants deiberation:
Il do not care TO say"
The most important feature of the
awards" he continued, lis of course
the increase OF 10 per cent given the
miners. This will result in an annual
increase in the wages of the 10000
anthracite miners OF PENNSYLVANIA Of
S6.Q00o0O. The sliding scale provided
for by the commission is very salts
factory. inasmuch rs a minimum OF
$3.50 per ton is fixed. With white ash
coal at $3.50 per ton at tidewater. the
increase provided for in the sliding
scale will be equivalent to 20 per cent.
more on the miners wages"
President Mitchell was asked II he
IA
sion did not recognize the union for
mally. 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 influence
OF the United Mine Workers.
After the increase OF wages given
the miners" said Mr.. Mitchell. the
most important Of the awards. from
the miners standpoint. are the ones
fixing nine-hour day and providing
for board of Cancellation. The award
gives a ninehour day with ten hours
pay directly TO 10000 men. and practi-
cally ar CT the other employees of the
anthracite mines viii get nine-hour
day by reason of their comrades
shorter hours. The provision for a
board of cancellation will result In
great gQOd. and am much pleased
with il. IL will compel Investigation
OF both sides OF controversies between
the miners ana operators and bring
the employers into closer relation
ship with their men VIII the miners
stand by the commissions report and
awards? They unquestionably Will"
Operators Say Coal VIII Be Higher.
Wilkesbarre. Pa. March % - The
coal operators OF the Wyoming Valley
are Of the opinion that the award made
by the strike commission is going to
increase the cost OF taking coal out OF
the earth To greater extent than ap-
pears on the surface The shorter
hours granted the engineers, nremen
and lahorers viii mean the employ
ment of more men. aud this in turn
means an increase in the pay roll
As nearly as can be estimated the
aggregate increase in back salary to
the miners Will amount TO $4,000. 1000.
James F. Lenahan. one OF the princl-
pal attorneys representing the United
Mine Workers during the sessions Of
the strike commission, says: THE
award is sweeping victory for the
miners, and the union Is practically
recognized. Through the efforts Of
President John Mitchell the miners
have succeeded IN obtaining an ad.
vance of 20 per cent. in wages during
the past two years"