The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-29
COMMITTEE FAVORS
AN E|GHT-HOUR DAY
Investigators of Michigan
Copper Strike Make Re-
port to Governor.
ONE-MAN DRILL TO STAY
Conditions SO Varied That No
General Minimum Wage
Can Be Applied.
ONE-MAN DRILL TO STAY

The special committee appointed by TIC
Copper Country Commercial club 10 in
vestigate strike conditions In the copper
mining district OF Michigan has made
It's report TO Governor Ferris OF that
state
The committee was named September
IL and began It's labors Immediately II
opened an office in Calumet and held well
advertised hearings at many points IN
the copper region. The fullest preSenta-
uon OF his case was invited from every
man having grievance or any state
ment whatever be desired 10 make bear
Ing on tho subject. The mine mana gers
OF the district. without exception. threw
open TO tho committee every source OF
Information at tlelr disposal permitting
free access 10 the books and documents
and the plants and underground work
lngs OF the various companies.
The amount OF labor involved In the
and the committees findings and con-
clusions III nearly 100 pages OF the large
pamphlet In which they have been pub
liShed
Conclusions reached by the committee
are that:
1. The mine managers will not rccos-
nize the Western Federation OF Miners
2 No minimum wages applicable To all
mines in the district can be established
wltA Justice to all parties concerned.
3. The one-man dill has come 10
The committee has also concluded:
/. That the question OF establishing
some kind OF an eight hour working day
ought TO receive the serious considera-
ton OF both men and operators.
2. That some attempt ought 10 be
made TO provide an adequate method By
which the employee can obtain and have
perfectly free access to the management
for tie purpose OF presenting grieva noes
without fear OF discrimination or dis
charge.
With these conclusions I'm mind, the
committee decided 10 meet the managers
OF the various mining companies and put
before them it's findings relative TO an
eight-hour shift and the presentation OF
grievances. with the hope that something
might be done 10 adjust those matters.
At the meeting watch was held there
were present managers or other repre-
sentatives of each OF the companies men
statement was made to the committee
and agreed 10 by each representative;
!, That, as previously stated, the min
ing companies had under favorable con-
slderat ton for some time previous to the
strike. the establishment OF an eight hour
working day for underground employees;
that the different conditions at the var
!ous mines render Il impossible TO work
out an absolutely uniform working day
for all underground employees at all OF
the mines: taat each management Will
its own peculiar conditions. that this
could not be done in short time: but
that each management will establish and
have in operation an elght-hour working
fore January I, 1914.
Q. That the adjustment OF grievances
rests with the general man
ager, superintendent or man highest in
at the mine.
That, therefore the solution OF the
grievance problem lies IN providing and
maintaining method OF free access
between the men and the general mun-
ager or official highest in authority at
the mine:
That, therefore. each manager Will set
aside a certain fixed day or half day in
each week as a day for hearing COM
plants and grievances;
That he will devote such day cNclu-
sively to meeting men and hearing COM
plants;
That he will investigate every com
pIslnt presented TO him and win adjust
every legitimate grievance with all pos
sible speed:
That he viii see to It that no man is
Disseminated or initiated against be.
cause OF presenting complaints;
That he VIII prepare notice embody-
among bis employees.
The committee felt that with the IN
auguration OF the above plans there
must necessarily come closer acquaint.
ance between employer and employee,
from which will result untold good to
both parties.
This report is closed with the heart
felt hope that the work OF the commit.
tee. and the data gathered by it, will IN
some measure aid in restoring the good
name Of this district, and Will IN some
measure aid the parties concerned In
the strike 10 bring II TO q close.