Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-28

gardcd as an Indirect increase Of tho
profits Of the operators. and to mako
their calculations with tho sole object
In view OF covering the increase in
wages, by interpreting the above pro-
posals in terms of the prices fixed by
you: that is to say, to advise me how
many cents per ton on coal produced
the proposed wage increases mean.
I'm reaching the conclusion that the
prices of coal at the mine should be
increased substantially to cover these
wage Increases, have been influenced
particularly by the provisions of tho
agreement intended to secure an in
creased and uninterrupted production
OF coal.
Under the provisions OF the draft
law. miners are not excluded as n
class. Considerable inroads as re-
suit of the first draft upon mine labor
resulted. Moreover. the conditions
surrounding the industry in ordinary
times account for the fact that the
average number Of days work in the
year has been from 200 to 230 only
that the average hours Of labor per
day has fallen considerably below the
eight hours stipulated in wage agree
mentS.
To PENALIZE MINERS
FOR FAILURE TO WORK
'It is the deliberate Judgment OF the
best informed among tho representa-
e, &C. In tia
miners now at work should labor in
the mines eight hours during every
five days OF the week. there would be
no shortage OF coal. II is the purpose
of the proposed supplemental agree
ment to secure an approximation at
least of this result. by means Of fines
automatically collected. These fines
are quite distinct from the penalizins
fines sometimes attempted to be i'm
posed by employers for their benefit.
I'm these circumstances it is ncccs-
sary to call special attention to the
fourth item of the agreement, namely.
that:
Subject to the next biennial con-
vention of the United Mine Workers
Of America, the mine workers repre-
scntatives agree that the present con-
ton OF the war. and not to exceed two
years from April l. 1919
II am assured that the next biennial
convention will loyalty and patriotic
ally confirm this provision. L believe
suranccs of the representatives of the
union upon this point.
I'm view of the foregoing consldera
| nj
the prices fixed by your proclamation
of August 81. and such notifications
as have heen made pursuant to your
order Of August %. appointing a fuel
for the sale OF bitumin-
Gus coal at the mines be uniformly in
creased in the sum OF As cents per
EXCEPTIONS
Il. This Increase in prices shall not
apply To any coal sold at the mine
under an existing contract containing
provisions for an increase in the price
OF coal hereunder in case OF an in
crease in wages paid to miners
This increase in prices shall not
apply III any district in which III,
operators and miners fail TO agree
upon penalty provision satisfactory
o.
matte collection OF fines in the spiri.
OF IN" agreement entered into between
the operators and miners at Washing
ton. October 6. 1917
For your information attach hera-
to copy OF tho supplementary agree
m"nt OF October 6, 1917. between the
operators and the miners of the con-
lrhl competitive fields. composed OF
Western Pennsylvania. Ohio, Indiana
and illinois.
Respectfully submitted.
'Signed) III. a. GARFIELD.
United States Fuel Administrator"
the fuel administration is confident
mat with the higher wages and higher
coal prices prevailing all danger OF n
coal famine. due to strikes, lockouts.
etc. has been avertcd for the period OF
the war