Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-06-21
British Coal and Hours Of work.


A remarkable official report issued
recently on the miners eight-hour
day shows that the matter Is of vital
national concern. In the national in
terst the government is advised to
retain the power of regulating or
Huspending any law that may be
adopted for restricting the hours of
miners.
AS is we'll known, miners them
selves are not agreed on the eight
hour day. A few weeks ago a pri-
vate bill was read a second time in
the House OF Commons, but Il was
then stated that in view of the COM
mittee inquiring into the subject the
government would explain its lnten-
tions later. The committee (Which
included Mr.. Russell Rea, M. p,
Lord Gladtawe, and Sir Robert Gif-
FEM issued its report.
The committee finds that some di-
minution of production would follow
n legal reduction of hours. At pre-
sent the average theoretical week is
40 hours SO minutes, and on that
basis the reduction would be 25,7S3,-
900 tons, calculated on the output
OF 1905. But so much time is lost,
the committee finds, that the real
week is 43 hours 13 minutes, and It
holds that the lost time could be
utilized, while other improvements
would mean that the reduced output
would not be so great as might ap-
pear.
The effect on the wages and on
the price OF coal Is next considered.
A temperate shortage OF supply must
mean enhanced prices and wages;
aud should prices be raised to such
an extent as TO cripple or cause the
removal from this country OF other |
industries. a temporary cause might
be found to hove a permanent ef-
feet"
Discussing the export trade, the
committee cannot accept the reas-
surlng conclusion that the foreign
buyer Is our most tenacious custom
er, in view OF the rapid extension OF
production abroad. Already cal
though British coal Is shipped to all
parts OF the world, the British COM
mand OF all distant markets has dis
appeared" Particularly In the trade
60 the ports from Hamburg to Nan
ties. as shown by the effect OF the
coal tax. any special disadvantage
TO the British exporter would mean
tho partial or entire success OF for
eign competition. AZ the same time,
Britain is supreme In the middle
and largest markets.. g.. the Med
iterranean ports-although German
competition has appeared at Mar
seilles and American is threatened.
II is notable that our most serious
competitors Germany and America,
have not uniformly limited miners
hours; tho underground hours are
at present shorter than here. but
longer than they would be by an
eight-hour law.
But the effect on other British In
dustrles IL IAN interest OF greater
national importance than any imme-
diate effects on tho owners or work
ers In eollieries." "All our Indus
tries are ultimately completely de-
pendent upon British coal for their
existence" There Is not much
chance OF relief by foreign ooal4lm-
ports, although point miglH be
reached TO cause recourse to such
import OF German coke In West
Cumberland and by the fact that
some Atlantic liners carry American
coal here TO use on the outward
voyage.
Accordingly, before making the
that Parliament
should reserve power OF suspending
al eight-hour day. the committee
says emphatically;
"a situation might be created by
an enhanced price OF coal, following
the enactment of an eight-hour law
for miners. In which the immediate
economic interest OF employers and ,
men engaged IN the production OF !,
coal alike might be opposed TO the
interest OF the country nc
large. "--I London Mail.