Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-03-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
CFrom our Regular Correspondent

(From our Regular Correspondent
Washington, March 23.-The deci-
sion of the Anthracite Coal Strike
Commission has just been made public
and will doubtless be regarded as a vic
tory for the miners, not only in that 1t
awards to them the increase in wages
for which they originally struck, but
in that it refutes the economic proposl-
lions advanced by President Baer and
other mine operators. On this sub
ject the Commission says, "Undoubt.
eddy the proposition that men who own
the property and carry on the business
must control it is generally true and
it's maintenance is necessary to the
political aud economical welfare of so
ciety; but it is also true that where a
business is of such magnitude and its
physical conditions are such as to con-
stitute a natural monopoly, it is at
fected with public interest which
cannot be ignored by those who con-
troll it." While submitting that they
do not feel authorized, under existing
conditions, to advocate compulsory
arbitration the Commissioners recon-
mend law proposed by Charles f.
Adams which provides for federal in
PREVENTION in time of extensive con-
flicts between employers and employees.
The specific awards of the Commits
sion, by which both operators and min
ers are bound, give to the latter gen
eral 10 per cent. increase in wages be-
ginning with April, 1902. Men employ
ed nine hours are to be paid on a ten
hour basis and provision is made for
an increase in wages of per cent for
every increase in the wholesale price
coal, above 81 so per ton, for pea coal.
The average price of coal is to be de-
termined by commissioner appoint.
ed by United States Circuit Judge
and paid by the operators. The min
ers are permitted all the check.Weigh-
ers they may demand but they are to
be paid at the miners expense. Any
increase in the size of miners cars
is to be met with a proportionate in
crease in wages. 1t is further provid-
ed that all disputes arising during the
period for which the Commission makes
its awards, shall he adjudicated by a
Joint conciliatory committee" to
consist of six members, three to be ap-
pointed by the operators and three by
the miners. In the event that an
agreement cannot be reached by this
evenly divided committee, the COM
mittee shall select a seventh member
who shall cast the deciding vote. No
discrimination shall be made against
union and non union miners and all
awards shall stand until March 81,
1906.
The special session of the Senate of
the Fifty.eight Congress has adjourn
ed, after ratifying the Panama and
Cnban treaties, Attention now turns
to the action OF Columbia on the canal
treaty and the magnitude of the un-
dertaking to which the United 81 / >
has committed itself. 1t is estims
by those who believe in the succee-
the agreement, that about the auiuu.
of 1904 some 10000 negroes armed W.. u
spades and picks will invade the is Il
mus of Panama and begin digging. 1t
is said by the engineers that 20 coo
will be minimum force of labole.s
and that as high as so. 900 may be
employed at times. There are now
about 1000 men at work under the
French company and every foot OF the
ground for the canal has been broken.
One of the gravest errors of Preel-
nent ROosevelt's administration took
place during the closing hours Of the
recent session and should prove a
warning to him of how utterly unsafe
be is when Gin the hands OF his friends.
After nominating two excellent men
for the very important position of As
sistant Treasurer of the United States,
and receiving destinations from both,
the President listened to the advice of
Senator Platt, of New York, and at
bis earnest request nominated Major
William Plimley. By ways that were
dark and tricks that were vain Mr..
Platt secured an immediate favorable
report on Plimley's nomination. and