The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-05-05
CONTROVERSY IS
FINALLY SETTLED
AGREEMENT BETWEEN MINERS
AND OPERATORS ARE MADE
PUBLIC
WAGE ADVANCE GRANTED
Mems Contention For Eight Hour
Day Also Upheld BY Subcom-
mittees.

New York, May "Details of the
settlement of the anthracite coal con-
troversy as result of the negotia-
tons which have been going on for
weeks between the operators and the
miners were made public here today
by the operators. The agreement,
Involving increased wages, shorter
hours an dvirtual recognition of the
union, is as yet unsigned, but since
1t has met with the approval of the
subcommittee which have been in
session here, is not anticipated
that it will be rejected at the miners
convention at Pottsville, Pa, to-mor-
row.
The agreement will be retroactive
TO April and will avert a threaten
ed strike which would throw some
10000 employees into idleness.
The agreement contains no men,
tion OF the closed shop or of the
"checkoff" system. which have been
points of dispute during the negotia-
lions. Regarding the former. how
ever, II was pointed out by the opera
tors, the agreement will. when ap-
proved by the convention, be signed
by John p. White, president of the
United Mine Workers of America.
and by other officials of the union.
and that this is in effect recognition,
of the union. giving the miners the
right TO organize In order to better
their conditions. AS for the "check-
Off" system, the operators have con-
tended all along that 1t would be I'M
American and detrimental to their
interests to constitute themselves as
collecting agents for a union, and
this point the miners waived.
Agreement on Legislation
The agreement contains a provision
that neither side shall initiate or en-
courage legislation which would in
any way affect the obligations OF the
new contract or impair any of its
provisions, which are to be continu-
ed until May, 1920.
Contract rates for each colliery are
increased per cent. over and above
those effected in April, 1912, and the
working day establishment by the
Anthracite Coal Strike Commission
is reduced form nine to eight hours.
Employees who are paid by the day or
hour shall. except in certain circum-
stances, be paid for an eight-hour
day at the rate establishment for nine
hours under the expiring agreement.
this payment being subject to an in
crease of 3 per cent
Hosting engineers, who were in
March, 1912, granted an eight-hour
day, will receive a per cent. in
crease, provisions being made. how
ever, which will effect the arrange
ment of the working shift. Hosting
engineers now on a nine-hour basis
whose duties require that these hours
shall be continued will have their pay
increased per cent. All company
men whose hours are to be continued
in excess of nine hours day or who
are working on monthly basis will
receive per cent. increase wheth-
err paid hourly. daily or monthly.
Eight Hours Real Work.
The agreement provides that an
eight-hour day means eight hours of
actual work for all classes, not in
GLIDING noon time.
The agreement says that the oper-
ators' right to use mining machines !
under contracts on a day basis shall |
not be questioned, and minimum
rates of payment are set forth rang
ing from $2.34 day for helpers to /
$3.50 for miners. These rates sue
coed per cent. basis under the
new wage. 1t is said that where min
ing machines cover veins not hereto
fore mined, the wages of the men
shall be not less than those establish
ed for machine mining on the day
basis. These men agree to maintain
efficient operation in this work and
assure full eight hours work.
1t is provided that all grievances
referred to the Board of Cancellation
shall be heard and a decision render
ed within sixty days except as extern
sion may be mutually agreed upon,
and that II no decision is reached the