Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-09
COMMITTEE ON SCALE
REPORTS TO MINERS
TOMORROW MORNING
Anthracite Convention VIII
Discuss Proposed Demands,
Including Wage Increase
and Eight-Hour Day
MAY FINISH SATURDAY

wILKEs-BARRE, Pa, Sept. e-pe-
mands recommended by local unions IN
the anthracite region afiiilstsd with the
United Mine Workers OF America are
in the hands OF the Scale Committee. the
schedule OF the tri-dlstrict convention IN
session here. has been cleared for con-
sideration Of the proposals. No business
OF Importance was transacted In open
session today. The delegates assembled
al $50 o'clock and. after announcements
and addresses by National Secretary VIII
lam Green ana Miss Emily s. johnson,
suffrage worker, adjournment was taken
until tomorrow morning
Though no definite announcement was
made, President White intimated that
the Scale Committees report would be
ready for presentation TO the delegates
when the convention meets tomorrow
morning.
Leaders have exhorted the committee TO
refrain from burdeninR the demands with
extraneous matter. For this reason many
Of the minor or local demands probably
will be set aside. and the proposals con-
fined largely TO the main and Fundamental
reforms that the mine workers have been
endeavorins TO secure.
FOR ElGHT-HOUh DAY.
The scale committee will include in the
fundamental demands a proposal for an
eght-hour day, a substantial increase IN
wages consistent with the recognized
growing prosperity Of the anthracite coal
industry. and which will bring about
more equitable division OF the tremendous
profits between employer and employe;
system Of adjusting disputes which will
make for expediency to supplant the con-
oiliation board.
RECOGNITION OF UNION.
Complete recognition Of the union as o
contracting party TO the agreement is
demand which will cause the greatest
discussion on tho floor. The miners be-
lieve that with their strong membership,
which is fast approaching 125OO0, their
chances of winning this point are better
than ever before.
II the vital issues are passed with the
expediency that President Wilson be-
lieves probable, the convention will COM
plete its work either tomorrow or Satur-
day morning. Each demand must be sub
mitted to vote before 1t can be incor-
porated in the proposed agreement
President White has declared that he
wants peace In the anthracite regions,
but he has also made II very plain that
he wants peace with honor to the or
ganization he represents. Because of that
statement he has been urging the Scale
Committee to consider only fundamental
matters.
From District No. there have come
25 minor grievances, which the men want
adjusted. District No. l has presented
20 matters for consideration: District No
has presented a score. and from in
dividual locals nave come numerous sug-
gestions to the Scale Committee.
Draufdant WHITE hau fhoN al
attention be paid TO the eight-hour day,
the recognition Of the union and the
abolition Of the conciliation board for
some other means of speedily disposing
of grievances between men and employ
ers. He admits that working conditions
also should receive consideration, but he
has cautioned the men not to burden their
demands with extraneous matter.
Just what substitute will be made for
the conciliation board has not been de-
termined. This board for a long time
has been considered by the miners or
ganization as a graveyard for griev-
ances. The men complain that they cam
not get their troubles Strengthened out
with dispatch, and that it requires from
six months TO two years to get a de-
cision on minor grievances
The men believe there should be COM
mon meeting ground between them and
their employers. but they do not believe
that the conciliation board is the method
that will give them the satisfaction to
which they are entitled.
President White declares that ne be-
lieves the operators will be fair, but he
and the district officers, as well as the
rank and file, are well aware that the
recognition of the union is a matter that
viii cause trouble, II trouble is to come.
WANTS PROMISE KEPT.
In the deliberations with the operators.
which are to start soon after the con-
vention Of the miners is ended, President
White intends to ask the coal companies
to stand on their word in regard 10 rec
ognition of the union. Four years ago
the operators declared that unionists
were in the minority and said that until
they became the majority they had no
right to urge recognition on their en-
ployers. President White will answer
that challenge at the coming delIbera-
tions by proving beyond any question
that the unioniste represent almost 90 per
cent. of the men employed in and about
the mines. President White predicts a
membership Of 123 900 by the time the on
orators meet the committee OF the miners
TO discuss a wage scale. and he is certain
that the operators cannot hide behind
their old claim.
There Is strong peace talk among the
miners. but this peace will have to come
with honor The men are determined 10
make their hght for recognition and the
eight-hour day, and II these demands are
won II is certain that a wage increase
ana minor concessions also will come
with the victory.