The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1903-03-27
COAL STRIKE COMMISSION
THEIR REPORT HAS BEEN GIVEN
TO THE PUBLIC.
Miners Get 10 Per Cent Raise-Eiaht
Hours Days Work-Provides for
Board Of Conciliation-Union Not
Recognized-operators Condemned
for Refusing to Arbitrate at First.

'sSSSS'"ASN- N-OPSid idSOIo NOuOeuneu
for Refusing to Arbitrate at First
The report OF the anthracite com.
mission has been made public. 1t pro-
vides in general an increase of 10
per cent in the rate of wages paid to
the contract miners and a reduction
in the hours per day of the other mine
workers.
Water hosting engineers will work
hereafter in eight-hour shifts with a
10 per cent increase, where they have
been working heretofore in such shifts
Other engineers and pumpmen will
get per cent increase.
Firemen will have eight-hour shifts
only without an increase. Other mine
workers are to be paid the same wa
ges on the basis of an eight-hour day
that they have been receiving for 10
hour service.
A board of Cancellation Is provided
TO settle disputes arising out of any
| commissions awards. It consists OF
three members selected by the opera
tors and three by the miners organiza-
lions, and umpire to be chosen in case
of disagreement by one of the circuit
judges of the Third judicial district.
No strikes or lock-outs are to take
place while such adjudication is pend
ing.
The commission declines to recog-
nize the United Mine Workers OF
America as such by compelling opera
tors to enter into an agreement with
the organization, but modifies this in
the manner above stated, and by pro-
viding the organization shall have Il
hand in the machinery where the find
ings of the commission are put in ef-
| feet.
| The third demand of the miners that
coal be paid by weight wherever prac-
ticable is refused, the commission re-
fusing to make an obligatory decision.
1t declined to fix standard ton where
coal is paid for by weight, and from
| imposing on the owners of collieries,
where coal is now mined by car, any
obligation to pay by weight. 1t is
necessary, therefore, that check weigh
men shall be employed when requested
by majority of the contract miners.
their wages to be paid on the miners
sliding scale. Wages are provided
whereby the miners may increase their
earnings according to the increase IN
the market price of coal above the
rates awarded, being in all cases the
minimum.
There shall be no discrimination
against any workman because of
membership or on-membership in Ia
Dor organizations, nor shall there be
interference by union men with non
unionists Awards shall continue IN
force until March 81, 1906.
Particular stress is laid on the fact
that the findings are unanimous. The
entire report requires 81 printed pages
$4,000 words.
One chapter reviews the losses oc
casioned by the strike, which aggre
gate approximately sl0O,90O,OO0. The
amount of increase under the award
due for work done between November
|. 1902. and April 1, 1903, is dealt will
in a separate clause, which provides
: that it shall be paid on or before june
1, 1903.
One interesting chapter in the sum
mary is that of the condition OF the MI
: ner's life. The commission finds th'
2 contention is not fully justified tha
the wages paid are insufficient to malll
t tain an American standard OF living
0 During the last 20 years there ma
: been a steady improvement in tn
8 miners home. The social condltloh
: are good and the percentage G
q churches is above the average.
! The wages of the anthracite miner
are not lower than those paid the bit'
y minous workers. The average dali
l. rate of earnings compares favorabl
q with other industries requiring equ'
skill and training The annual earl
. ings of the contract miners are D.
q tween $3.50 and $500 year. Mimi
should, however, be classed as oa
gerous industry. ranking with the mo-
e hazardous.
d Regarding lawlessness the repo
k. saws the governor was justified IN ca
n ing out troops, but that the mine Wor
IL ers' region as whole was wen ~
It posed. Good citizens characterize Il
r. boycott as immoral. anti-soclal, cru
ri and cowardly where applied to detens
10 less women and children.
to It says the blacklist is equally d
te and should be frowned down by
III honorable men.
rt II condemns the practice of emple
ing deputies upon request and at e
exnense of the employers. 1t irritat
the men. secures the service OF ma
~ unprincipled persons and is agail
~ the doctrine that the county and sta
- officers are abundantly able to p
70 serve the peace and protect propert.
The employment of coal and II
=. police is unwise.
~ The commission can not recomme
compulsory arbitration.
IT does think, however, tnat
state and federal government sno'
:. nroyide machinery for what may
nd nd called a compulsory investigation
~ contentious when they arise.
-. II condemns the operators IN
" agreeing to arbitration at first.
commission could not see its way
make a concession.
or. New York.-When seen the pr
mr. dents of the operating coal roaus