Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-03-21
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
REPORT OF STRIKE COMMISSION
Increase of Wages Provided for
Reduction i'm Hours--No Recogni-
ton of United Mine Workers Claim
TO be Party to Contracts.


the anthracite coal strike commission was
made public this morning. 1t provides
in general for an increase of ten per cent
in the rates of wages paid contract miners
and for reduction in the hours per day
of other mine workers. Water-hoist-
ing engineers are to work hereafter in
eiSht-hour shifts, with ten per cent in
crease in wages where they have been
working heretofore in such shifts. Other
engineers and pumpmen are to have D
per cent increase. Firenen are to nave
eight-hour shifts withoutincrease. Other
mine workers are to be paid the same
wages on basis of nine hour day that
thew have been receiving for ten-hour
day. A board of Cancellation is proyld-
ed for to settle disputes arising out OF the
Interpretation or application of the COM
missions awards, to consist Of three
members selected by the operators and
three by the miners organizations, and
an umpire in case of a tie to be appoint
ed by one of the circuit judges of the
third judicial district of the United
States. Nostrikes or lookouts shall take
place pending adjudication by this
board.
The commission declines to recognize
the United Mine Workers Of America as
such by compelling the operators to
enter into any contrac' with that or
ganization, but modiEes this, in the
manner above stated, by providing that
the miners organization shall have
hand in the machinery whereby the
findings of the commission shall be put
into effect. The third demand OF the
miners which was that coal be paid for
by weight wherever practicable was re-
fused. the commission retaining from
making an obligatory award. 1t de-
clined to fix standard ton, where coal
is paid for by weight, and from impos-
ing upon owners of collieries, where
coal now mined is paid for by the car,
the obligation to pay by weight and to
make the changes in plant necessary
therefor. Check weighmen shall be
employed when requested by majority
of the contract miners of any colliery,
their wages to be paid by the mir ers.
A sliding scale of wages is provided
whereby the miners may increase their
earnings according to the increase in
the market price of coal, the above
rates awarded being in all cases the
minimum. There shall be no dis
elimination against any workman be-
cause of his membership or non-mem-
ship in labor organization, nor shall
there be any interference by union men
with non-union men, The awards
made shall continue in force until
March 81, 1906.
The Commission adjudges and awards;
That no person shall be refused employ
ment, or in any way Disseminated
against, OH account of membership or
non membership in any labor organiza-
ton; and that there shall be no discrimina-
ton against, or interference with, any
employe who is not member of any
labor organization by members of such
organization.
The fourth and last demand of the
miners was the incorporation in an agree
ment between the United Mine Workers
of America and the anthracite coal COM
panies of the wages to be paid, the condi-
tons of employment which shall obtain
and satisfactory methods for the adjust.
ment of grievances. Upon this point the
report says, in part:
The Commission is constrained to de-
cline making an award, which would
compel an agreement by the operators
with the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea; for however Importantly that order
may have participated in the strike, it i;
not a party to this submission. MOI
does the Commission consider that the
question of the recognition of the United
Mine Workers of America is within the
scope of the jurisdiction conferred upon
it by the submission.
I The entire report Of the commission
comprises 81 printed pages, or about
80, 900 words. Particular stress is laic
by the members upon the fact that the
findings are unanimous. A large part
of the report is devoted to a history OF
the strike and a review of the conditions
prevailing in the anthracite regions.
One chapter deals with the losses oc
casioned by the strike. The total de
crease in production is estimated at SAC,
100, 900. The total loss in wages $25,
900, 900. There were expanded abOu
81, 800, 900 in relief funds, and the tota
decrease in freight receipts is placed a
s2S, 900, 900. The aggregate loss there
fore is approximately 800, 900, 600.
Upon each of the awards the report con
tains lengthy discussion of the reasons
upon which the findings are based.
New York, March 2l.-The awards
of the anthracite coal strike commits
sion we're received this morning from
Washington by the presidents of the an
thracite coal carrying roads in this city
While there was no surprise OccasioneC
by the awards, the presidents did no
care TO express any opinion until they
had carefully gone over the awards ant
the review of the testimony. The awards
as given were thoroughly anticipated il
every particular, and two of the presi
dents merely scanned the decisions of thu
commission, and then turned to othe
business. It is understood that thu
auditing departments of the roads vii
commence work Immediately upon thu
pay-rolls to adjust salaries according t.
the new scale.
Mahony City, Pa, March 2l.-Thert
is general feeling of satisfaction abroad
over Schuylskill county, today, over thu
announcement of the strike commission
award of ten per cent. increase in wage'
and nine hours work day. Some arr