Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-03-25
THE BIG COAL STRIKE.
Anthracite Commission Makes
Public Their Report.
Mine Owners Seem Satisfied With the
Findings and Will Put Clerks to
Work Figuring UP Bonus Due
Each EmpIoye.

Washington, March 23.-The report
or the anthracite strike commission
was made public Saturday II is con-
sidered a victory for the miners. al
though they failed TO obtain complete
they had contended.
The commission adjudges that the
men shall have an increase in wages
amounting to 10 per cent. in the case
of contract miners over the rates in
1902 Water hosting engineers get
an increase of 10 per cent. and eight
hour shifts. Other engineers and
pump men. 3 per cent. increase and
Sunday holidays. without loss of pay.
Firemen. eight-hour shifts, without in
crease in pay after April l. 1903. but
an increase of 10 per cent. from No.
vember. 1902. until April !. 1908.
Tle commission fixes a minimum
wage. as well as a sliding scale Of
wages. All disputes that arise during
the life of the award. from April. 1909.
until March 81, 1906. shall be settled
by arbitration. The report also pro-
vides against discrimination on the
part of mine owners or the mine work.
ers on account of membership or nor
membership in q union.
The commission discusses the ques-
ton Of recognizing the union but de-
clined to make any award in the mat
ter. Check Weighmen and check dock
ing bosses shall be employed when re-
Guested by the miners; cars must be
distributed equitably and the output
II no hn
mutual agreement. The sliding scale
of wages shall be based on the mini.
mum price of $3.50 for ton of coal
The employees must be furnished with
an tented account.
The commission finds that the boy
cott' and the black list" are inhu-
name institutions. The average daily
rate of earnings by the miners does
not compare favorably with that of
other industries. The union must not
undertake to assume or to interfere
with the management OF the business
of the employer.
Shamokin. Pa. March 23.-Coal op-
orators OF this vicinity at an informal
meeting decided that the best plan in
reference to paying the mine work erS
the back wages since November l.,
awarded by the strike commission. is
TO divide the amount into three parts
and add each amount to the three en-
suing regular pay days. the first Of
which will fall on March 80
Wilkesbarre, Pa. March 23-Most
Of the mine owners Sunday refused to
comment on the mine commission
award. They seem TO be satisfied or
at least willing to abide by the find
ings.
An officer of the largest corporation
said tlat violence and boycotts have
been denounced in the report in no un-
mistakable language and that peace
and normal conditions would pervaiI
in this region for the next three years
at least
All the local companies will put
clerks at work to figure up the bonus
coming to each employe under the
award granting 10 per cent. increase
on wages earned since November /.
The Lehigh Valley Co. has in its en-
ployment $4,000 men and most of them
will receive from $25 to $50 each.
The miners have made good wages
since the strike ended and will profit
by the award to the extent of from
$40 to $50 each on percentage. The
Suequehanna Coal Co. was the only
corporation that was not represented
before the commission. but they have
agreed to abide by the award