The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1913-10-30
FINAL SESSION OF
THE MINING CONGRESS
SECRETARY COMMERCE AND IA.
Dor CLOSELY QUESTIONED
LIABILITY LAWS.

| eHW0s
The sixteenth session OF the Amar-
can Mining congress, which met in
Philadelphia last week, closed its ses
sions Friday, after listening to an
address by Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor Wilson and the adoption Of
number Of resolutions affecting the
mining industry, says the Philadel-
phia Ledger. Secretary Wilson, who
was once coal miner and one of the
active leaders in the labor strikes
which form some OF the most stirring
chapters In the history Of coal mining
IN Pennsylvania, was interrupted dur
ing his speech by questions designed
10 draw him out on the question OF
settlement Of labor disputes. He ex-
plalned the uses and abuses OF arbi-
tration In mining, and laid. down d
number OF axioms regarding arbitra-
ton. which he called collective barter
ing, He held that capital and labor
were equal partners In business en-
terprise, and that both sides should
receive equal and fair treatment.
He opposed compulsory arbitration
as evil and unjust to both sides to The
partnership. After he had spoken In
generalities for some time, Charles e.
Maurer Of Ohio, began the heckling,
asking:
What is an equitable basis for ar
bitratlon between employer and en-
ployed?"
The first thing in a dispute re-
piled the secretary. lis for the parties
to the disagreement to get together,
find out each others difficulties and
then reach an amicable agreement
But should like to know on what
basis this can be done?" asked Mr.
Maurer
THE basis is problematical," ad
mitted Mr.. Wilson, "and the elements
of the different kinds of industry must
be considered. First, there should be
living wage for the worker in ac-
cordance with the American stand
ards of living. 1t is difficult to say
what part Of the increment should go
to the employer and what to the EN-
ployed. The latter is the producing
partner; the former, the selling part
ner."
Then Mr. Maurer remembered dis
tinetly that in the bituminous coal dis
pute in 1908, in which Secretary WiI-
son was actively interested, the min
ers received 100 per cent increase In
wages-that is, the increase has come
in large doses since then-while the
operators profits tsood still. Mr.. Will
son was not ready to admit the latter
contention, so Mr. Maurer renewed
his attack:
Don't you think" he began mildly
enough, that the employer should
have reasonable protection in any
dispute with his employees"
The secretary replied indirectly, as
sorting that the employer utilities his
capital in his business and is able to
get others to assist him, but that man
is the production Of higher power. In
one case, Mr. Wilson continued, .he
human is dealt with, while, on the
other hand, capital, without that hui
man element of help would rot and
prove unproductive.
Each of the partners, capital and
labor" said Mr.. Wilson, lis entitled to
a voice in determining what the terms
of partnership shall be. If an at
tempt is made to deal with the indi-
vidual, the big employer has the ad-
vantage. The only way in which an
employe can become nearly equal TO
the employer Is when the employees
act collectively for an equitable con-
tract"
Among the resolutions adopted the
following are the most important:
First Advocating the establish
ment of federal department of mires
and mining, with its head ranking as
a cabinet officer.
Second. Advocating a federal law to
protect minority stockholders and
make directors definitely responsible
for their welfare, with imprisonment
as punishment for infraction of the
statute. (This resolution was SLAP
ut the New York stock exchange. |
which was mentioned by name).
Third. Advocating a modification Of /
he antitrust laws as applicable to |
he coal industry
Fourth Asking congress to extend /,
lid to state mining schools, as such |
1elp is supplied to state farm schools. |
Fifth. Suggesting the revision of !
he mining land laws.
Sixth. Asking for the appointment !
If committee of the American Min i,
ng congress to evolve fair and |
'quitable system of valuing mines for !,
purposes Of tax assessments.
Seventh. Advocating sinplilied i
ystem of making mine reports to the
ederal and state governments and +
bureaus.
Eight. Urging upon the federal gov.
the need Of new laws which /
will induce private capital to develop
he resources Of Alaska.
Ninth. Requesting that internal rev.
nue. collectors be required TO iSSup