The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-04-08
To Adjust Wage Scale
Agreeable To All.
RESOLUTIONS WERE ADOPTED
Condemning LawIessness In
the District, First Set
Being Amended.
SCALE COMMITTEES CHOSEN


change Of proposals looking to an
agreement to prevail during the
next two years and the adoption OF
a resolution condemning acts of al
legged lawlessness in and around the
coal mines of Western Kentucky
marked the first days sessions Of
the joint conference of the Western
Kentucky Coal Operators Associa-
iion and delegates from District %,
United Mine Workers of America.
The meeting adjourned at 4
O'Clock to meet again at 10 o'clock
this morning in the aldermanic
chamber at City Hall.
The tentative agreement submit
ted yesterday afternoon by the Coal
Operators Association suggests no
changes in the wage scale. II is the
same as that adopted in 1912, se-
cording to the operators. except that
it gives specific expression to va
rious rules OF mine practice, which
heretofore have been unwritten.
The mine workers propositions
we're submitted just before adjourn
ment and were not read at length.
Few changes, however, are made in
the agreement OF 1912. The most
important change is the alteration of
the first section TO read. THAT the
ratio of lump coal to mine run shall
be based on SIS per cent. going into
the weight box" Under the present
agreement. the ratio is SO per
cent. The miners contend that this
percentage is not just to them. AS
an alternate proposal. they suggest
fair test 10 determine the ques-
/ ton.
The miners ask that the scale for
mine run coal be increased from
57.35. as at present, to 61.05, based
on the percentage of Sc per cent.
! Another increase asked to raise the
minimum pay for outside work
about the mine from $50 TO $500.
The changes in the wage scale ask
ed, the miners state. make no ma
terial change in the cost OF produc-
| ton and are extremely reasonable.
No great difficulty is anticipated
by either side in reaching an agree
ment.
! days proceedings was precipitated
by introduction of resolution. by
Stewart Miller.of the operators. put
ting both organizations on record
as condemning lawless conditions in
the Western Kentucky District. The
resolution was referred, after some
discussion. to a special committee
composed of three miners and three
operators, with instructions to re-
port a substitute.
This substitute. which was re-
ported in the afternoon. was adopt
ed without a dissenting voice. IL
differed from the original resolution
1 III thdt ''iiaih paitn' ooJ''ttu W W
, the miners, had been omitted. The
resolution adopted was as follows:
Whereas. certain unknown law
less men have committed and are
now threatening to commit lawless
acts in and around the mines in the
union district of District 23, have
L.. In. 10 mil I'M %
camps and in the dead hour of the
night assaulted. bruised and beaten
men working for said companies:
and II is commonly reported that by
reason of said acts and crimes a
reign OF terror has been created at
the various mining camps and two
mines have been forced to close
down and cease operations. causing
"A large body of men to be thrown
out of employment, a great financial
loss 10 the companies and to the
community. the citizenship In and
around the mining camps TO be
greatly alarmed and disturbed, and
men to be seriously injured and
their lives 10 be placed in grave dan
ger, and
Whereas. such conditions are a
menace to the peace. Happiness and
prosperity of the community; now
therefore. be II
Resolved, by the operators of the
Western Kentucky Coal Operators
Association and the convention OF
I District M % I'nitad Nina Work.