Fergus County argus., 1903-03-25

WdoulubIuu, mdTCu Al.-lu uc ltpolI
of the commission appointed by the
president last October to investigate
the anthracite coal strike was made
public today. The report is dated
March 18th, and is signed by all the
members of the commission, who are
Judge George Gray, of Delaware. La
Dor Commissioner Carroll d. Wright,
and Brigadier General John M. Will
son, both Of this city; Bishop John L.
Spalding of Illinois, Thomas H. Wat
kins, of Pennsylvania, Edgar E. Clark,
of Iowa, and Edward M. Parker, of
this city. The report is to be illustrat-
ed, and 1t will be accompanied by the
testimony taken by the commission,
but thus far only the report proper has
been printed. This alone covers 81
pages of printed matter.
In brief the commission awards a
general increase of 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
persons by either the mine owners
or the miners on account of member
ship or non-membership in labor un-
ion; provides that the awards made
shall continue in force until March 81,
1906. The commission discussed to
some extent the matter of recognition
or non-recognition of the miners un-
ion, but declines to make any award
on this measure. Following Is the
commissions own summary of the
awards:
That an increase of ten per cent.
over and above the rates paid in the
month of April, 1902, be paid to all
contract miners for cutting coal, yard
age and other work for which standard
rates or allowances existed at that
time, from and after Nov. 1, 1902. and
April 1. 1908, to be paid on or before
June 1, 1908.
ii. That engineers who are en-
ployed in hoisting water shall have
an increase of ten per cent on their
earnings between Nov. 1. 1902. and
April 1, 1908, to be paid on or before
June 1, 1903; and from and after Ap-
ril /, 1903, and during the life of the
award they shall have eight hour
shifts, with the same pay which was
in effect April 1, 1902, and where they
are now working eight hour shifts the
eight hour shifts shall have an in
crease of 10 per cent. on the wages
which were effective in the several po-
sitions in April, 1902.
Hosting engineers and other engi-
neers and pumpmen. other than those
employed in hosting water, who are
employed in positions which are man
ned continuously, shall have an in
crease of 10 per cent. on their earn
ings between Nov. /, 1902, and April
|, 1903. to be paid on or before June
/. 1903: and from and after April l.
1903, and during the life of the award
they shall have an increase of per
cent. on the rates OF wages which
were effective in the several positions
in April, 1902, and in addition, they
shall be relieved from duty on sun
days, without loss of pay, by man
provided by the employer to relieve
them during the hours of the day
shift.
That firemen shall have an increase
of 10 per cent on their earnings be
tween November. 1902, and April, 1903.
to be paid on or before June /, 1903,
and from and after April l, 1903, and
during the life of the award, they
shall have eight hour shifts, with the
same wages per day, week or month
as were paid in each position in April.
1908. and all employees or company
men other than those for whom the
commission makes special awards
shall be paid an increase of 10 per
cent on their earnings between Nov.
l, 1902, and April !, 1903. to be paid
on or before June l. 1908. and after
April /, 1903, and during tho life Of
this award they shall be paid on the
basis of nine-hour day, receiving
therefor the same wages as were paid
In Anril. 1902. for q ton-hour day.
Overtime in excess Of nine hours in
any day to be paid at a proportional
rate per hour.
III. During the life of this award
the present methods of payment for
coal mined shall be adhered to unless
changed by mutual agreement.
In all of the above awards it is pro-
vided that all awards like those made
shall be paid to the legal representa-
tiyes Of such employees as may have
died since November, 1902.
". Any difficulty or disagreement
arising under this award as 10 its
Interpretation or application, or in any
way growing out Of the relations oil
the employer and employed which
cannot be settled or adjusted by con
suItation between the superintendent
or manager of the mine or mines, and
the miner or miners directly interest