The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-03-26
THIS THE AWARD
TEXT OF COMMISSIONS REPORT
ON COAL STRIKE.
Miners Given Increase in Wages
and a Nine-Hour Day.-Settlement
of All Disputes in Anthracite
Region by ArbitratiOn---Awar
Continues in Force Three Years.

Continues in Force Three Years.
Washington, March 21.-The report
of the commission appointed by the
president last October to investigate
the anthracite coal strike was made
public today. The report is dated
March Is, and is signed by all the
members of the commission, who are:
Judge Gray, of Delaware; Labor Com
missioner Carroll d. Wright and Brig.
Gen. John M. Wilson, both of this city;
Bishop John L. Spalding, of Illinois;
Thomas H. Watkins, of Pennsylvania;
Edgar E. Clark, of Iowa, and Edward
M. Parker, of this city. The report
is to be published, and it will be
accompanied by the testimony taken
by the commission, but thus far only
the report proper has been printed.
This alone covers eightyseven pages
of printed matter.
In brief, the commission awards a
general increase in wages, amounting
in most instances to 10 per cent;
some decrease of time; the settlement
of all disputes by arbitration; fixes a
minimum wage and a sliding scale;
provides against discrimination of per-
sons by either the mine owners or
the miners an account of membership
in a labor union; provides that the
n Cho11 n0ntipnn in,
until March 81, 1906. The commission
discussed to some extent the matter
of recognition or nonrecognition of the
miners union, but declined to make
any award on this question.
Summary of Awards Made.
Following is the commissions own
summary of the awards made:
That an 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, yarding and other work
for which standard rates or allowances ex-
listed Nt that time, from land after NOvem-
Der /, 1902, and during the life of this
award. The amount of increase under the
award due under the work done between
November 1, 1902, and April l., 1908, to
U-That engineers who are employed in
hoisting water shall have an increase of 10
per cent on their earnings between No
vember 1, 1902 and April l, 1908, to be
and after April l, 1908, and during the life
of the award they shall have eight-hour
shifts, with the same pay which was effect
i've in April, 1902, and where they are now
working eight-hour shifts the eight-hour
shifts shall have an Increase of 10 per
cent. on the wages which were effective in
the several positions in April, 1902.
Hosting engineers and other engineers
and pump men, other than those employed
in hosting water, who are employed in posi-
lions which are manned continuously, shall
have an Increase of 10 per cent. on their
earnings between November l, 1902 and
April 1, 1903, to be paid on or before June
l, 1908 and from and after April l. 1908,
and during the life of the award they shall
have an increase of per cent. on the
rates of wages which were effective In the
several positions in April, 1902, and in ad-
dition they shall be relieved from duty on
Sundays, without loss of pay, by man
provided by the employees to relieve them
during the hours of day shift.
That firemen shall have an increase of
10 per cent on their earnings between No
vemDer, 1902, and April l, 1908, to be paid
on or before June l, 1903 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, 1908, and all employees or company
men other than those for whom the commits
sion makes special awards, shall be paid an
increase of 10 per cent. on their earnings
between November l, 1902, and April L,
1908, to be paid on or before June 1, 1908,
and from and after April 1, 1908, and dur
ing the life of this award they shall be paid
on the basis of nine-hour day, receiving
therefor the same wages as were paid In
April 1902 for ten-hour day. Overtime
In excess of nine hours In any one day to
be paid at a proportionate rate per hour.
III.-During the life of this award the
present methods of payment for coal mined
shall. be adhered to unless changed by mu-
tual agreement.
In all of the above awards 1t is provided
that all awards like those made shall be
paid to the legal representatives Of such
employees as may have died since November,
1902.
Arbitration Provided For.