Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-01

services owing 10 the strike.
THE government having recognized
the principle of a minimum wage for
all underground workers. if it is not
secured by agreement. it will be Sc
cured by the government by other
means
This extract from the speech mad
by the prime minister to the members
of the National Miners Federation, as
reported in the official statement is
sued tonight, concerning the confer
ence held. tonight, indicates the
lengths to which the government i
prepared to go to effect a settlement
of the strike. 1t is virtually an ulti-
matum to the coal owners.
Emphasizing the point again. Mr.
Asquith said the government were
determined that the minimum wage
shall become part and parcel of the
organization and working of the Goa.
/ industry by whatever appropriate
means the government can command,
They would have been false to their,
duty as stewards and trustees of the
general interests of the nation. con-
tnued the premier, if they did not
take what steps they could to bring
about reasonable arrangement. The
government felt that they were face
to face with a warfare between capi-
tai and labor in the coal industry.
which might paralyZe all other in
dustries in the country.
The government started upon their
investigation of the problem. the
premier said, without any prejudice
OF party or class bias in one direction
or another. Having given the fullest
and most careful consideration to the
evidence which the workmen had
brought before them. the conclusion
| they had unanimously come to was
that case had been made out 70,
| ensuring 10 the underground workers
in the coal industry. with adequate
safeguards, a reasonable minimum
wage. Already a majority-certainIy
| % per cent.-of the coal owners of the
country had assented to the govern
| ments proposals and they did not in.
tend that the resistance of what he
hoped was dwindling minority of thu
| employers of labor should unduly de
| lay the attainment of an object, which
we have satisfied ourselves is con-
sistent with justice and the best in
terests of the community"
The prime minister concluded hi
| speech with an appeal to the miners I,
| allow reasonable latitude for discussion
| with respect to fixing the minimum wag
for the different districts, and not to in
sist upon rigid adherence to the schedul
adopted by the miners federation. II
| reminded them that if they persisted i
that course they assumed "A terrible re
sponsibilitY, although it was obviou
that nothing short of a miracle coul
avert a national strike.
That the government made some pre-
| gress today. in the direction of render
ing the strike of short duration is show
by the fact, disclosed by the offieii
statement, that the Northumberland co.
owners. who were among those who RI
iected the governments proposals, yei
terday. have been persuaded to agree
the first two clauses Of those proposal
which in effect declare the government
belief that there are cases in which III
dcrground strikers are not able to ear
r reasonable minimum wage and thu
- the power 10 earn wage should be 81
2 special circumstances in each distric
E adequate safeguards being provided
( protect employers against abuses. 81
{ the Northumberland coal owners adds
.ihat they could moi consent to pay
minimum wage irrespective Of abili