Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-03-26
THIS THE AWARD
TEXT OF COMMISSIONS REPORT
ON COAL STRIKE.
Miners Given Increase in Wages
and IA Nine-Hour Day.-SctLlcment
of All Disputes in Anthracite
Region by Arbitration---Aw ward
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 eighty-seven 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 labor union; provides that the
awards made shall continue in force
until March 81, 1906. The commission
discussed to some extent the matter
| IF Of he
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 worl
for which standard rates or allowances ex
listed at that time. from and after Novem
Der /, 1902, and during the life of thi.
award The amount of increase under the
award due under the work done between
November 1, 1902, and April l.. 1903, tt
be paid on or before June l, 1908.
u-That engineers who are employed II
hoisting water shall have an increase of II
per cent on their earnings between No
vember 1. 1902. and April /, 1903. to b'
paid on or before June 1, 1908 and from
and after April /, 1903, and during the lif
of the award they shall have eight hou
shifts, with the same pay which was effect
i've in April, 1902, and where they are nov
working eight hour shifts the eight hou
shifts shall have an increase of 10 pc
cent. on the wages which were effective il
the several positions in April, 1902.
Hosting engineers and other engineer
and pump men, other than those employed
in hosting water, who are employed in posi-
lions which are manned continuously, shal
have an increase of 10 per cent. on thel
earnings between November l, 1902 an
April l, 1903, to be paid on or before Jun
l. 1903: and from and after April l, 1903
and during the life of the award they shal
have an increase of . per cent. on tn
rates of wages which were effective in tn
several positions in April, 1902, and in ad
dition they shall be relieved from duty o
Sundays, without loss of pay by ma
provided by the employees to relieve ther
during the hours of day shift.
That firemen shall have an increase q
10 per cent. on their earnings between NJ
vember, 1902, and April I. 1903. to be pal
) on or before June l, 1903. and from an
, after April 1, 1903 and during the life q
the award they shall have eight hour shifts
: with the same wages per day, week o
month as were paid in each position
April, 1908. and all employees or compan
men other than those for whom the commits
sion makes special awards, shall be paid
Increase of 10 per cent. on their earning
between November l, 1902, and April
l"oo, TO De palu OH OF before June l. l3".
and from and after April l, 1903. and dun
( ing the life of this award they shall be pal
on the basis of nine hour day. recevin
therefor the same wages as were paid l
April 1902. for a ten hour day. Overtim
in excess of nine hours in any one day
be paid at proportionate rate per hour.
III.--DuriNg the life of this award tn
present methods of payment for coal mine
shall be adhered to unless changed by mi
tual agreement
, In all of the above awards 1t is provide
, that all awards like those made shall b
paid to the legal representatives of sue
employees as may have died since November
1902.