The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-03-26
A REPORT IS MADE.
Findings On Investigation of the
Coal Strike
SHORTER HOURS AND BETTER PAY
A Lengthy Document In Which the
Union is Not Recognized-The Text
Of the Report.

of the Report.
Washington, Special.-The report of
the commission appointed by the Presi-
dent last October to investigate the
anthracite coal strike, was made pub
lie Saturday. The report is dated
March IS. and is signed by all the
members OF the commission. In brief
the commission recommends an in
cras of wags amounting in most in
stances to 10 per cent; some decrease
Of time; the settlement Of all disputes
by arbitration, fixes minimum wage
and sliding scale, provides against
discrimination of persons by either the
mine owners. or the miners on account
or membership or non-membership in
a labor union, and provides that the
awards made shall continue in force
until 1906. To some extent the matter
of recognition or ncn-recognition of
the miners union is touched on, but
the commission declined to make any
award on this matter. Following is
the commissions own summary of the
awards made:
/. That All increase of 10 per cent.
over and above the rates paid in the
month Of April, 1902, be paid to all
contract miners for cutting coal, vard-
age, and other work for which stand
ard rates or allowances existed at that
time from and after November l, 1902.
and during the life of this award. The
amount of increase under the award
due for work done between November
l, 1902. and April 1, 1903, to be paid
on or before June l, 1903.
2. That engineers who are employed
in hosting water shall have an in
crease of 10 per cent. on their earnings
between November l, 1902, and April
l, 1903, to be paid on or before June l.,
1908; and on and after April /, 1903,
and during the life of the award, they
shall have S-hour shifts, with the
same pay which was effective in April,
1902; and where they are now work.
ing eight-hour shifts, the eight-hour
shifts shall be continued and these en-
gineers shall be continued and these
engineers shall have an increase of 10
per cent. on the wages which were eff
fective in the several positions, April
l, 1902. Hosting engineers and other
engineers and pumpmen, other than
those employed in positions which are
manned continuously, shall have an
increase of 10 per cent. on their earn
ings between November l, 1902, and
April l, 1903, TO be paid on or before
June l. 1903, and from and after April
1, 1903, and during the life Of the
award, they shall have an increase Of
5 per cent. on the rates Of wages which
were effective in the several Positions
in April, 1902; and in addition they
shall be relieved from duty on Sun
days, without loss Of pay by a man
provided by the employer to relieve
them during the hours OF the day
shift. Firemen shall have an increase
of 10 per cent. on their earnings be-
tween November /, 1902, and April I,
1903, to be paid on or before June /.
1908; and from and after April 1, 1908;
and during the life of the award, they
shall have eight-hour shifts, with the
same wages per day, week or month
as were paid in each position in April,
1902. All 'employes or company men,
other than those for whom the COM
mission makes special awards, shall be
paid an increase Of 10 per cent. on
their earnings between November /,
1902. and April 1. 1903, to be pais on or
before June 1, 1903, and from and after
April 1. 1903. and during the life Of
this award. they shall be paid on the
basis Of a 9-hour day, receiving there
for the same wages as were paid in
April, 1902, for a 10-hour day. Over
time in. excess of 9 hours in any day
to be paid at proportional rate per
hour.
8. During the life Of this award, the
present methods Of payment for coal
mined shall be adhered to, unless
changed by mutual agreement. In all
Of the above awards it Is provided that
allowances like those made shall be
paid to the legal representatives OF
such employees as may have died since
November /, 1902.
4. Any difficulty or disagreement
arising under this award as to its in
or appncarlon, or IN any
way growing out Of the relations OF
the employers and employed. which
cannot be settled or adjusted by con-
su!tation between the superintendent
or manager of the mine or mines and
the miner or miners directly interested
or Is Of a scope too large to be so set
tied or adjusted shall be referred to
permanent joint committee to be call
ed a board of conciliation, to consist
of six persons. appointed as hereinaf-
ter provided. That is to say. II there
shall be division Of the whole region
into three districts. in each Of which
there shall exist an organization rep
resenting majority Of the mine work
ers OF such district, one OF board OF
shall be appointed by each
of said organizations and three other
persons shall be appointed by the ope-
rators. the operators in each OF said
districts appointing one person The
board of conciliation thus constituted,
shall take up and consider any ques-
ton referred to it as aforesaid, hear
ing both parties to the controversy.
and such evidence as may Se laid be-
fore it by either party; and any award
made by majority Of such board of
conciliation, shall be final and binding
nm all parties IL, however, the said