The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-21
SLIDING SCALE.
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inspected the various conditions which
the production Of anthracite coal in
VOlves they have visited the brea kers,
the engine house and pumping stations;
they nave examined the machinery by
which the mines are protected from
water and foul air; they have talked
with the miners at their work and in
their homes, and they have given atten-
ton to the economic, domestic, scholas-
tic and religious phases of their lives;
they have listened to and directed the
examination and cross examination Of
55S witnesses; they have given free
scope to the counsel who represented
the operators, the nOn-union men and
the miners. and they have devoted an
entire week 10 hearing their arguments.
The commissioners also say that while
there have been differences of opinion
among themselves, there never has been
a time during the five months Of the
existence of the commission when there
was an unpleasant word spoken among
them, or any indication whatever of
thought or desire of aught save truth
and justice"
The commission then takes up the de-
mandS Of the mine workers and the an
swers of the mine operators. giving III
detail the reasons for the findings. III
a general way they say that the cOndi-
tons of the life OF a mine worker out
side the mines don't justify to their fuh
extent the adverse criticims made by
their representatives. They also find
that the social conditions in the mining
communities are good and they fail to
find that wages are so low among the
miners as necessarily to force them to
put their small children to work The
commission also find that the average
daily rate of earnings in the anthracite
regions does not compare unfaVorably
with that in other industries. On the
af1Tr 10
workers union the commission says
that they don't consider that this sub
ject is within the SCOPE of jurisdiction
conferred on them, They do say. how
ever, that the suggestion of a working
agreement between employers and en-
ployes. embodying the doctrine of col
lective bargaining, is one which the
commission believe cOnta ms many hone
ful clements for the adjustment OF
wages" Further on they say: The
present constitution Of the United Mine
" orkers Of America does not present
the most inviting inducements to the
operators to enter into contractural re-
latiOns with 1t.
The commission report more than
once their incapacity to make an award
on the demand of the miners for a
recognition of their union because. they
say, the union IS not party to the sub
mission. Attention is called to the fact
that Mr. Mitchell appeared before the
commission as the repreSen tative of
the anthracite coal mine workers" and
not in his official capa city. They also
call attention to the fact that agree
ment to arbitrate was rea ched between
the operators and a coal miners con-
vention. The commissioners say that
trades unionism' is rapidly becoming
a matter of business.
If the energy Of the employer is di-
rected to Encouragement and repres-
sion of the union he need not be sur
prised if the more radical ones are the
ones most frequently heard. They ex-
press the opinion that differences can
best be settled by consultations by the
employer with q committee chosen by
his employees" but they add that lin
order to be entitled to such recognition
the labor organization must give the
same recognition to the rights of the
employer and of others which it de-
mands for itself and for its mem bers.
They add:
THE union must not undertake to as
sumo or to interfere with the manage
ment of the business of the employer"
They also pronounce as untenable the
contention that "a majority of the en-
DIoves of an industry. by voluntarily as
sociating themselves in union acquire
authority over those who do not so as
sociate themselves.
BAER RECEIVES A COPY.
Philadelphia. March 21.-George F.
Baer, president Of the Reading railway
received the report Of the strike com
mission today. He refused to discuss
the rsport until he had gone over it
carefull--
MITCHELL SEEMS DISAPPOINTED.
Bav CITY Mich. March 21--When
President Mitchell o. the United Mine
Workers Of America, who Is in his city.
was shown a summary this afternoon
Of the coal strike commissions report
re declined to give any expression OF
c-inicn on II
Il can rot discuss it." he said. until
have had an opportunity to read th-
fall re9crt and digest its contests.
+ expect to haze co-y of II here this
! aftor-oo-z-
President Mitchell's demeanor while
! he Wcs reading TIE summary was taken
to indicate that the commissions re-
port was not Is favorable to the miners
as had been hc-od for,
NICHOLS DON'T LIKE 1T
WiIl1esbarre, Pa. March 21.-Presidert
T D. Nichols of district No ] When
seen was somewhat averse to talking
On the subject Of the commission :
/ award
I DC not care to say ANYTHING for
I publication said Mr.. Nichols unih
I have thoroughly disested the report
T understand. though" continued MI
I Nichols. "t7eat the men do not get tins
weighing Of coal. and am, OF course
greatly disa-2ointed ct that
Weather Indications
Chicago. March 21.-F'oreeast fol-
Kansas. Generally fair tonight and
SUNDAY colder Sunday winds Shifting