Arizona silver belt., 1903-03-26
The Anthracite Strike Award

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 The findings of the anthracite strike commission, heralded as q victory for the miners, is so ouly in the sense that they have very justly been awarded in- creased pay and shorter hours, togeth- CT with some other minor concessions to which they were entitled. In d. most all such controversies the disput- ants present the extreme views on either side and truth and equity Is fouud to occupy the middle ground. This is recognized by the commission in making it's award, and compromise verdict was very generally anticipated by the public.
 The miners who originally asked for 20 per cent increase of wages have been awarded 10 per cent, but the slId- ing scale provided for will make the increase greater. All classes of the 147, 1000 employees of the coal compa- nies get either an increase of wages or a reduction of hours, and many of them get both. The importance of the sliding scale Is obvious, as the award compels the operators to share profits with their employees whenever the price of coal is advanced above S4.5O per ton, which, in so far as it discourvges the abnormal increase of price, is protection to the consumer. The miners are also granted the right to have check weighmen, paid by themselves, to act jointly with the weighmen representing the companies,
 The increase of wages dates from November l, 1902, and the amount due up to April l, 1903, estimated at from S2, 300, 900 to S3. 900, ,OOO, must be paid on or before June 1 next. The in- crease to all employees will amount to more than S6, 600, 900 a year, nd the award is to continue in force until March 3l, 1906. Future disputes are to be settled by permanent board of conciliation, half of its members to be appointed by the miners organization, and the other half by the operators. In case of the failure of thls board to agree, an umpire is to be appointed by a United States circuit judge, whose decision will be final and binding.
 On the subject of the recognition of the mine workers union the commis- sion say that they do not consider it IS within tho scope of their jurisdiction.
 While the commission advises against the employment of the ''coal and iron" police as having an irritating effect, yet they state that the armed guards employed to protect the colleIies and men who worked was not an unneces- ssry precaution, and the governor of the state was justified in calling ont the soldiers to preserve the peace.
 The commission pronounces against discrimination by either the labor or ganization or the employer, and on the subject of the boycott says "What is popularly known as the boycott Ca word of evil omen and unhappy ori- gin), is form of coercion by which Il combination of many persons compel others to abstain from social or bus- ness intercourse with certain person or persons. Carried to the extent some- times practiced in aid of a strike, and as was in some instances practiced in connection with the late anthracite strike, it is cruel weapon of aggres, sion and its use immoral and anti. social and the concerted attempt to accom- plish it is conspiracy at common law and merits and should receive the pun ishment due such crime."
 Again : "Ihe union must not under take to assume, or to interfere with the management of the business of the employer
 They also pronounce as uutenable the contention that "a majority of the employees of an industry, by voluntarily associating themselves ]n union, acquire authority over those who do pot so associate themselves. D
 The losses accustomed by the strike