The Washington herald., 1915-10-03
WORKINGMEN WIN IN
CONTRACT WITH JOHN D.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

The manner in which 1t is proposed
that this contract shall be carried out
and the methods by which peace is to
be maintained between operators and
miners are no less interesting.
To start at the beginning. the plan
of industrial representation provides
that at each of the mines of the c.
cret elections at which the miners
shall select, without outside influence,
two of their fellow workingmen to
represent them with respect to mat
ters pertaining TO their employment.
working and living conditions, the ad-
justment of differences and such other
matters OF mutual concern and inter-
est as relations within the industry
may determine
These annual meetings are to be
held in the several mining camps the
second Saturday in January. There is
to be one representative for each $50
employees but each camp shall have at
least two representatives and every
safeguard of a regular union election
is to surround the method of select
ing these representatives.
Would Crowd Out Unions.
1t is provided. furthermore that at
these recurring annual elections the full
body of miners shall be permitted to dis
cuss and make recommendations con-
cerning any matters pertaining to their
employment which recommendations are
assured of consideration according to
manner further provided for.
= The plan marks an epoch in the rela-
tions between labor and capital in the
United States. Accompanying the pub
lication of the plan and its adoption
today by a Joint convention Of officials
and employees Of the Colorado Fuel and
Iron Is declaration from Mr. Rookie
feller that there is no intention on the
part Of his concern to present a SUBJ
stitute for union labor or to engage In
any contest with unionism. There is
even an intimation that under favorable
conditions the Rockefeller interests
might enter into contrhctual relations
with organized labor.
Yet close study Of the plan presents
convincing evidence that its complete
success would crowd the labor union
from the industrial field.
For the purpose Of facilitating the plan
the camps Of the company are divided
into five districts. Thereafter. district
conferences are provided for. to meet
at intervals of not more than four
months, at which the representatives
of the miners in the respective districts
shall discuss matters of mutual inter-
est. The principal outline of the plan
says:
The purpose of these district confer
ences shall be to discuss freely matters
of mutual interest and concern to the
company and its employees. embracing a
Of suggestions to promote
increased efficiency and production, to
improve working and living conditions. to
enforce discipline. avoid dissensions, and
to further friendly and cordial relations
between the companys officers and en-
ployers."
At the first district conference held In
each year 1t is provided that the follow
ing joint committees shall be selected, the
Of the miners and the
president Of the company each to select
three members.
A joint committee on industrial cooper
alton and conciliation.
A joint committee on safety and acci-
dents.
A joint committee on sanitation and a
Joint committee on recreation and educa-
ton.
These committees are CHARGED with the
discussion and recommendation with re-
gard to such matters as would naturally |
come within their jurisdiction.
Annually there is to be a Joint meeting |
Of the president of the company and the |
Of the miners from all the |
several districts.
No Discrimination on Unious. !
Coming next to the prevention and |
adjustment Of industrial disputes. to |
which special chapter is given In the |
detailed plan, the provisions laid down
here are probably the most important in |
the entire scheme. Both parties to the
agreement pledge themselves to an OBJ. |
servance Of all the Federal and State |
rules regarding mining and labor. The |
agrees to post in conspicuous !
places In every mine the scale Of wages |
and rules with regard to working condi- |
lions. And then occur these fiat conces-
sions on the part Of the compay:
There shall be no discrimination by |
he company or by any Of its employees |
On account Of membership or nonmem- |
bership In any society. fraternity or |
union"
But there Is also this provision imme-
diately following:
The right to hire and discharge, the
OF the properties and the
direction Of the working forces shall be |
vested exclusively In the company, and
except As expressly restricted this right
hall not be abridged by anything con-
tained hersin."
There shall be posted at each prop
,rty q list Of offsnses for commission |
" which by an employe dismissal may 4
-ssult without notice. For other Of. |
lenses employees shall be discharred |
vith&ssH DaVuA AaOSnN h~~~ ~~Sl$t>S AA~e