Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-03-25
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION
THEIR REPORT HAS BEEN GIVEN
TO THE PUBLIC.
Miners Get 10 Per Cent Raise-Eieht
Hours Days Work-Provides for
Board Of conciliation-Union Not
acknowledgement Condemned
for Refusing to Arbitrate at First.


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 q reduction
in the hours per day Of the other mine
workers.
Water hosting engineers will work
hereafter in eight-hour shifts with
10 per cent increase, where they have
been working heretofore in such shifts.
Other engineers and pumpmen will
get s 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-nour day
that they have been receiving for 10
hour service.
A board Of Cancellation is provided
to settle disputes arising out Of any
misinterpretation or application of the
commissions awards. It consists OF
three members selected by the opera
tors and three by the miners organize
lions, 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.
It declined to fix q 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
q Uoinct opu haooneo 80
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 &C.
casioned by the strike, which aggre.
gate approximately { 100000. The
amount Of increase under the award
due for work done between November
l. 1902. and April 1. 1908, is dealt with
In a separate clause, which provides
that it shall be paid on or before June
1. 1903.
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 5000 a year. Mining
should. however, be classed as a dan.
gerous industry. ranking with the most
hazardous.
Regarding lawlessness the report
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.
It 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. It irritates
the men, secures the service of many
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
provide machinery for what may be
called a compulsory investigation of
contentious when they arise.
1t condemns the operators in not
agreeing to arbitration at first. The
commission could not see its way to
make a concession.
New York.-When seen the presi.
dents of the operating coal roads re-
fused to discuss the finding Of the an.
thracite coal strike commission upti,