New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-17
SOLVES LABOR PROBLEMS.
Work Done by Cancellation Board
in anthracite Coal Region.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BUREAU ]


Washington May 16.-Labor Commissioner Carroll
D. Wright this morning assured President Roose-
Welt that the Cancellation the adjustment
OF troubles in the anthracite region has not only
proved a pronounced success but that he believes
Is establishment will lead years hence, the
formation of a joint agreement that shall settle
most or the veXatous questions that threaten the
peace Of the coal country" Commissioner Wright
mas just returned from a trip through the coal
regions OF Pennsylvania a visit the sea board.
Where he looked into labor conditions. At Boston
ne made an address before the American Social
Science Associations convention He called at the
White House to-day 10 tell the President about his
trip and especially to report the results achieved by
the Cancellation Board provided by the Anthracite
Coal Strike Commission.
AS there are said Commissioner Wright. about
looo9 persons affected by the award of the Coal
Strike Commission. would expect that great
variety n complaints would be brought before the
cancellation Board: complaints. would suppose.
dlng not only the important matters. but triv
la ones as well and affairs involving individuals
small groups of individuals But the contrary has
been found 10 obtain.
Inc Cancellation Board. you know,
formed OF six members three representing the oper
ators and three the miners. in addition
pire. who settles differences that the six members
cannot agree upon. Under the Coal Strike Com
missions award. all differences arising under IT.
or relating 70 its Interpretation or application, may
ne brought before the Cancellation Board. and II
Is also provided that difficulties or disagreemeuts
ployers and employed, which cannot be settled by
consultation. may also he brought before board.
TINS gives broad range the scope Of the
boards lahors. Under the award the board is 10
exist for three years, and it has had about one
years experience. It should be borne in mind that
this board takes the place OF trade agreement.
and that all parties must abide by its decisions
the decisions Of the umpire appointed in accord
ance with the provisions OF the award.
The three members Of the board representing
the operators ma ma beI
that the miners trying the their abil-
ity 10 abide by the award. on the other hand. the
representatives OF the miners tell that the oper-
ators are doing all they TO carry out the pro-
visions of the commissions decision. Such state
ments as these ought to set at rest the accounts
appearing from time to time that there is great
discomfort in the coal regions that the work of the
Strike Commission is repudiated and that there
Is great indignation at some Of the decisions OF
the umpire
AS matter Of fact. the number or grievances
presented in the course of the year only JIG.
This. for such vast interest and with such large
number Of employees involved. Is decidedly salts
factory. The board OF Cancellation has acted
seventy-one grievances. has sustained seventeen
and refused nineteen. Seventeen Of the cases have
been withdrawn - the petitioners, and eighteen
grievances have been adjusted locally without the
action of the board Some Of the cases acted upon
by the board important. the most important,
perhaps. being that relating 20 the payment of the
increase awarded by the Strike Commission The
question arose as 10 whether this payment should
be on net or gross earnings. This question was
settled by the board without reference the UNI
pire The figures quoted 70 the cases sustained.
not sustained. withdrawn and the ike present the
most encouraging feature of the work. Few new
brought before the board The remain
der OF the ll6 noted not important but relate
largely the claim OF Individual that the
award works unjustly 10 him personally or TO some
minor matter OF adjustment. The board has had
many sittings and serves without pay. the general
expenses being paid Jointly by the operators and tina
miners unions. As there are only rev cases being
brought before the board. II IS fair To presume
that in the years II has still TO run II Will not
as called upon To adjust many grievances. The de-
cisious of the umpire. which have been almost en-
tirely against tie claims OF the emp!oyes-because
they have counter largely 10 the provisions OF
the awards OF the Goa! StriN" Commission ~ some
rssperts-have been accepted and a~qG"Sced IN, not
without protest. but absolutely without any
out break or deposition 10 violate theTn-
This record indicates without question that after
two years more OF experience under the arbitration
provided by the Coal Strike Commission the parties
in the anthracite regions viii become more fully
acquainted. viii get their petty grievances ADJUSTED
ana thus viii be IN condition az the EXPIRATION o.
the award, in 1896 10 make a Joint agreement that
shall comprehend most OF the veTatlous questions
that have IN the past disturbed the peace and pros
LyeTlty OF coal cOuutTy.'