Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-04-01

that during the continuance of the late
strike disorder and lawleSsness existed
to some extent over the whole region and
throughout the whole period
President Mitchell and his immediate
chiefs of the miners union are held oil
ciaily blameess for violence actual and
threatened, in the anthracite regions. but
a strong rebuke is administered 4 . those
persons who resented the presence of the
militia called out by Gov. Stone of Pom
sylyania to protect the collieries.
Il appears that all the concessions
made are clear gains to the miners, the
operators having conceded nothing and
havins denied the right of the commits
sion to inquire into their contractual re-
lntions with 1he miners. According to
the labor leaders they fatty refused to
arbitrate.
According to the miners counsel all
the awards made by the commission rep
resent net gains to the miners, although
1t is admitted that President Baer offered
at one time to fix the minimum wage
scale on the basis of s. coal. The e. M
mission fixed this basis at $3.50.
BETTER Wages and Shorter Hours.
Under the commissions awards miners
not working by the day, month or year
will be granted an advance in wages of
10 per cent and miners y king by the
day, month or year will be granted
nine-hour instead of a ten-hour day. The
wages of the former class. it is figured.
will be advanced 1212 per cent, as they.
too, have been granted a nine-hOur III
stead of tenh hour day. Firemen and
engineers under the decision of the Gray
commission are given Pm eight-hour in
stead Of a twelve hour day and the wages
of some of these employees have been
advanced.
In addition to general advance of 10
per cent in most instances and decrease
in working hours the commission recon-
mends the settlement of all disputes 10y
arbitration and provides minimum
wage with a sliding scale. Provis-
ion is also made against discrimination
of persons either by mine owners or min
ers on account of membership or non
membership in Il labor union, and it is
provided that the awards of the com
mission shall be in force until March 81.
1906.
The miners having worked t20
DAYS since Nov. l, 1902. it is estimated
that back pay due them Will reach near
w S3OOO.0OO and that advanced wages
will amount approximately 10 SS,0O00o0
year
The average income of a skilled miner
In the anthracite fields last yea was
$500 and of an unskilel miner $3.50.
The miners insisted that their working
lnv should he reduced from ten to eight
hours and the foremen, engineers and
pumpmen demanded that their twelve
hour day lie reduced to eight hours.
The commission in 40 instance met the
full demands % the miners. but the
awards made are considered '.beral. in
view Of the bitterness of the strike con
troyersy. The commission also favored
the miners by recommending the with
drawal of the coal and lion police and
modification Of the child labor law in
favor &C the miners
Recognition Of the miners union is eN-
plicitly refused. although it is conceded
that the doctrine If collective bargain
ing has in il many hopeful elements" for
the adjustment Of labor disputes. Ii aiso
is suggested by the commission tat the
present constitution Of the miners union
does not present the most inviting in
ducements 10 the operators to enter INTO
eontractusl relations with it,