Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-02-09
PROF. WlLC0X'S LETTER
TO JOHN MITCHELL.

New York, Feb. 9.--Prof. David Will
cox, of the Delaware & Hudson COM
pHny today made public the text Of the
letter which he wrote 90 John Mitchell,
president of the United Mine Workers
OF America, concerning a conference
/, between the mine workers and the
operators to discuss the wage question,
In his letter MI. Wilcox says that
practically all matters at present in
volved have already been the subject
OF arbitration by the anthracite strike
commission, lie says that IN i9U2-G3
the commission found that the average
hours actually worked per day did not
exceed six for the miners and eight for
the other employees, and the present
conditions are substantially the same.
in the case OF the Delaware & Hud-
son company during 1905 the average
number Of hours worked per day BY
the employees, other than the miners,
was about seven and one quarter hours
per day; the average number OF hours
worked per day by the miners was
slightly over six and one-half hours
per day. Any suggestion OF an eight
hour day for the employees by the day
does not therefore look To a diminu-
ton OF actual hours of labor, as they
don't now average eight hours per
day, but merely TO change of wages
by increasing the rate per hour so az TO
advance the wages about 1878 PR
cent above the standard fixed by the
strike commission. This advance
would amount approximately TO eight
cents per ton of coal, or upon the entire
product about si,s0OOO0 per annum.
Mr.. Wilcox devotes much space to an
argument tending to show that condi-
tstsat a
1 CT the strike commission. He continues.
1T Is true that the award OF the
strike commission ceases 10 he abso-
lutey controlling as TO future condi-
lions after March 81. 1906, but Its de-
rlsion after protracted Investigation
must be regarded by any other tribun-
al and by all disinterested persons as
conclusive in the absence Of some new
facts raising new questions.
MIR. Wilcox says further:
In case It should be necessary TO re-
sort TO arbitration In reference TO any
matter not already covered by arbi-
tration. and therefore. for the purpose
OF supplementing the award OF the
commission, If there be any such mat
ter, II would appear natural TO request
the members OF the strike commission
to act so that any further award might
be in harmony with that already made
All arrangements necessary in the
premises could be made through mem
bers OF the Cancellation board, rs they
represent all parties.
The conditions established by the
strike commission followed after very
serious controversy, where the result
OF probably the most conscientious and
exhaustive examination ever given 10
any labor controversy; on the whole,
proved satisfactory and have
not even been the subject of very seri-
Gus criticism. II therefore does not
seem desirable to abandon the results
reached with such difficulty and 80
| valuable I'm themselves and resort 10
| new methods which are uncertain and
difficult. AS already said. there Is no
| association or organization OF the pro-
,ducers of anthracite coal. but even II
| there were any arrangement between
| parties purporting TO represent all the
| employers upon the one side and other
| parties purporting to represent ell tina
| employees upon the other side, might be
| subject TO the charge Of illegality and
| might not commend itself to public con-
| fidence."
The letter concludes as follows.
These suggestions are made in the
| interest Of the public and all Of the
| parties, for the purpose of avoiding
| future difficulties by continuing what
ever beneficial results followed from
| the settlement of the strike OF 1902 II
| f. earnestly hoped that they will COM
| mend themselves TO the best judgment
| OF all as the proper course, and az
| far wiser than entering upon new and
| uncertain methods OF procedure