The Springfield herald., 1903-03-27
REPORT OF THE ANTHRACITE
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION

nresent methods of payment for coal
mined shall be adhered, to unless
changed by mutual agreement.
In all of the above awards 1t is pro-
vided that all awards like those made
shall be paid to the legal representa-
tiyes of such employees as may nave
died since November. 1907
The commission makes number OF
recommendations, which may De sum-
married. as follows:
The discontinuance of the system OF
employing the coal and iron ponce,
because this force is believed to have
an Irritating effect, and resort to the
regularly constituted peace authorities
In case of necessity.
stricter enforcement of the laws in
relation to the employment OF children.
That the state and federal govern
ments should provide machinery Tor
the making of a compulsory investiga-
ton of difficulties, similar to the inves-
tipation which this commission mas
made
The commission expresses the opin-
ion that with a few modincatlohs OIL
the federal act of October, 1898, anthof-
izing commission to settle controver-
sizes between railroad corporations ana
other common carriers, could be made
the basis of law for arbitration in the
anthracite coal mining business. Ihe
commission, however, takes a decided
position against compulsory arDitra
ton.
This losses occasioned by the strike is
estimated as follows: AS to mine own
ers, SAC, 100 900: to the mine employees.
in wages, $25,00O,0 900; to the Transports
ton companies. $2S 100000
NH ,t,.-in mere
have been differences of opinion among
themselves. there never has been
time during the five months of the ex-
istence of the commission when there
was an unpleasant word spoken among
them. "or any indication whatever OF
thought or desire for aught save truth
and Justice
In a general way they say that the
conditions of the life of mine worker
outside the mines do not JUSTIFY to their
full extent the adverse criticism made
by their representatives. They also find
that the social conditions in the min
ing communities are good and they 1all
to find that the wages are so low among
the miners as necessarily to force them
to put their small children to work.
The commission also finds that the aV-
erage daily rate of earnings IN the an
thracite regions does Hol coinphie uh-
favorably with that in other Industries.
On the subject of the recognition OF
the Mine Workers Union the commits
sion says that they do not consider that
this subject is within the scope of the
jurisdiction conferred upon them. They
do say. however. that the suggestion
of a working agreement between en-
ployers and employees. embodying the
doctrine of collective bargaining, is one
which the commission believe contains
many hopeful elements for the adjust
ment of relations Further on they
say:
',The present constitution of the
United Mine Workers of America doe&
not present the most inviting induce
ments to the operators to enter into
contractual relations with it
They add:
THE union must not undertake to
assume. or interfere with. the manage
ment of the business of the employer.
They also pronounce as untenable the
contention that "a majority of the en-
ployes of an industry. by voluntarily
associating themselves into a union.
acquire authority over those who DO
not so associate themselves"