The Washington times., 1916-02-05
the users of anthracite coal:

The Anthracite Coal Strike Commission appointed by the Pres
dent to inquire labor conditions the anthracite region and ITO
endeavo establish the relations between the employers ana wage
upon just and permanent basis made an award which
with notifications and considerable additional 10
the wage workers at subsequent conferences m IN oce Inc
last agreement signed May 20, 1912, expires on March 81
1916.
The miners now demanding substantial concessions entail
ing such additional upon te operation OF our mines that we
duty frankly and fully lay before the public the prob
lem which GnGns o 5 problem BE. s%Snd %nS T or So in
wages alone will in the aggregate bring about an increase In e
MILLION DOLLARS year.
The operation of the anthracite mines of Pennsylvania repre-
sen investment of upwards of S275ooo0oo IN panf ana
equipment in addition to the value OF the coal anoS leased 0y e
operators.
Mining though carried by the most scientific methods
yields exceedingly small return upon the actual capital invested
and while is to be admitted that certain mines, worked
under peculiarly favorable conditions yield liberal profits is
equally true that many anthracite % mines the PGou 20 OF ro %f" %
with margin of profit that is matter OF nalerence
to the operator whether not they continue to be operated
The average returns entirely too small to meet the in
creased cost additional compensation to miners substantial
changes conditions of employment without consequent IN
in the price of coal to the consumer
We believe that the of anthracite coal vitality interested
the readusment April 1916 of the relations between he
operators and the miners We propose to acquan anhraGe @ e. coa
c and working conditions of the army OF 10000 employees en-
gagged in the operation OF the mlneS
Because of the extraordinary industrial conditions by
the European which have degree benefited the an
hracite ndustryhe price of labor has rapidly advanced deter
which would be unexpected and unwaanted ordinary Such
demands granted place heavy and burden
every of anthracite coal
We have conceived to duty inform the of IAN
thracte of affairs in order that enlightened
public sentiment may operate fairly adjust the conditions which
will arise and which must be discussed and determined within the
next few weeks.
If after such presentation, the of anthracite coal it
advance the OF the miners and
employed the industry and prepared to meet the ad
paying higher COAL the time to
the that basis but the anthracite coal
using public opposed such concessions its voice should be plainly
heard.
The operators desire to deal justly with their employees
granting fair but they also deem their duty to
ect public and its interest just they
purpose protect far they able their interests
We believe that employees entitled to receive
able wages living conditions comparable with wages paid
similar lines of industry where equal chances for steady
employment offered provided employees willing to
operate with their energy and thrift in securing reasonable eff
cenCy that the operators entitled to receive reasonable
their investment because this only can the neceS
sy capital secured to develop the mines for the increasing
public necessities and also believe that the should
be able buy his coal the lowest possible price after these
dionS met.
is in this spirit that the coal operators approach this vital
problem and fai consideration by the coaonsung pub
c of such facts will be presented to he in the belief that this
intelligent consideration will insure equitable adjustment of the
approaching negotiations.
0l~ANTON OONL %" ny 4" d. ~ DEL PFeSden ~ " 80
AWARE Nv FIR