Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-03-26

I Child Labor Laws Recommended.
Washington, March 23.-The report
of the anthracite coal commission,
made public here Saturday, is general
" regarded as victory for the miners.
| While the commissioners do not recog-
nize the union, several features Of the
| report indicate that long step has
| been taken in that direction. The COM
i missioners recommend working agree
ments between the miners and opera
! tors, and such system is held to con
/ tain many hopeful elements for the ad-
| iustment of relations in the mining
| regions"
| At the same time the report states
! that the present constitution of the
United Mine Workers of America "does
not present the most inviting induce
! ments to the operators to enter into
contractual relations with il"
Sought Truth and Justice.
! The commissioners claim their one
desire has been for truth and justice
throughout the hearing. The report
is dated March Is, and is signed by all
members of the commission, who are:
Judge George Gray, Of Delaware; La
Dor Commissioner Carroll d. Wright
and Brig. Gen. John NJ, Wilson, both OF
| this city; Bishop John L. spaldlng' OF
Illinois: Thomas H. Watkins, of Penns-
vania: Edgar E. Clark, of Cedar RaTClds,
! Ia. and Edward Parker, of thiscity.
| Summary of the Awards.
| 1. That an increase Of ten per cent.
over and above the rates paid April,
| 1902, be paid to contra tminers for cut
ting coal, yardage, and other work for
which standard rates or allowances e1-
| listed from November 1, 1902, and dur
ing the life Of thisaward. The amount
| of increase under the award due for
! work done between November, 1902,
and April 1, 1908, to be paid on or be-
fore June 1, 1908.
2. That engineers who are employed
in hosting water shall have an increase
Of ten per cent. on their earnings be-
| tween November 1, 1902. and April 1,
1903, and from and after this date, with
eight1 hour shifts. In addition they
shall be,relieved from duty on Sundays,
without loss of pay by man employed
by the operators.
Eight-Hour Shifts.
That firemen shall have an increase
of ten per cent. from November 1902
They shall have eight-hour shifts, with
the same wages per day, week, OF
month as were paid in April, 1902, al
employees or company men, other than
those for whom special awards are
made shall be paid an increase of ten
per cent. in their earnings between No
vember, 1902, and April 1, 1908, to be
paid before June 1, and from and after
April 1. 1903, and during the life of the
1 award they shall be paid on the basis
of nine-hour day, receiving therefor
the same wages as paid April 1902, fol-
a, ten-hour day. Overtime in excess OF
nine hours in any day to be paid at g
proportional rate per hour.
8. Present methods of payment fo1
coal mined to be adhered to.
4. Arbitration as to Interpretation Of
the award and future disputes that can
not be settled between officials of the
| com DdDloS anu Tile w OIhSl0.
Provides Joint Board.
The establishment of a joint board
| of concilia ton to consist Of six persons
three to be appointed by the miners tc
represent the three anthracite regions
and three by the operators. In case OF
a deadlock an umpire to be appointed
at the request of the board, by one OF
the federal circuit court judges. Nc
suspension of work to take place pend,
ing adjustment of trouble.
5. Contract miners to have the right
4 to employ check weighmen and check
docking bosses.
4 g. Mine cars to be distributed among
contract miners uniformly and equita
bly,, without any concerted effort OF
miners or mine workers to limit out,
put. or detract from the quality OF
the work performed, unless such linn
itation of output be in conformity tC
an agreement between operators ano
miners.
Cars to Be Larger.
7. Increases in size of cars to be ac
companied by proportionate increase
of rates paid to mining contractors.
s. Each increase of five cents in the
average price of white ash coal, above
$3.50 a ton, sold at or near New YorR
to carry an increase of one per cent
in miners compensation. Average
prices to be computed monthly by a
commissioner named by a judge.
Provision is made that the companies
file with the United States commits
} sioner of labor a statement of rates Oh
compensation paid in each occupation
The award also provides for non
interference with workers not mem
bers of union and no discrimination
against union men. Contract miners
are to- furnish statements of money due
from them to laborers, which may be