The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-24
COAL MINERS ASK
HIGHER WAGES BUT
GARFIELD REFUSES
Men Must Wait Until In
tire Matter Of Living
Cost Is Surveyed.
END OF BONUSES
Some Operators Have
Been Able to Lure
Help Away From
Other Fields.
END OF BONUSES

washington. Aug 23.-Jnrest on
the part of labor IN war industries
throughout the country developed To-
day in conferences with the fuei az
mlnistration and shipping BOARD.
Large increases in wages were askeu
by representatives OF both industries
The miners were refused advances
by Fuel Administrator Garhcld, "hiie
the request of the shipbuilders Is
under advisement by the shipbuilding
adjustment board limitations are
that the advance asked Will not be
granted.
AT the same time Frank j. Walsh.
to,nt chairman OF the war labor board,
was hurrying to Bridgeport, Conn, y"
address q meeting tonight OF ht'y
thousand machinists employed In the
munitions plants there who are
threatening strike vote. Walsh Is 10
seek TO hold them at their Work until
the war Ia Dor board can complete It's
consideration OF their case now pend
ing before it The machinis;s are de-
handing quicker action by the board
District presidents OF the United
Mine Workers of America who saw
DIR. Garfield today received an un-
pleasant surprise, They thought they
had but to request a further wage ad-
vance and II would be granted.
Last October they had come to
Washington with representatives of
the operators. and though they were
then ON q three-year wage contract
tina fact that the United States mad
meanwhile entered the war was con-
slsiered a reason for a new contract,
The operators agreed TO an Increased
wage and DR.. GARFIELD then recon-
naended rs the president at 45-cent m
a. Fsx~ p ii YtI "a.
Gus coal TO cover the wage increase.
the new wage scale was agreed TO for
Two years,
1t has developed since, that While
this increase was a fair average for
the country. it was too much in some
districts and too little in others
In some districts the increased labor
costs ran as high as so cents and in
others were under 40 cents.
With the nargain remaining 10 the
luN-cost men. they began Offering
bonuses to labor OF SIS or $40 IN COM
n.ssary stores, cheaper rent in the
company houses and IN some cases a
cash bonus As result the miners
were lured from the companies who
were abiding by the Washington Oc-
toher agreement.
Or Garfield announced that the
bonus system mus end
It's violation of our agreements
ana it is disorgantzlng our entire pro-
aaeGion system. If necessary, I'll take
back all or part OF the ascent in
crease allowed on the price of coal
he announced early this month.
The miners became nervous. They
had grown to.regard the bonus as a
part OF their wage.
If the operators can pay bonus
- A. a. Al Sr
wage? Cost of living is going up. so
We have to have more money. any
way"
And so they came to Garfield. He
reviewed the history OF their last
agreement, recalling to them that II
was for three years. but that the
operators had voluntarily agreed TO
one increase early last year on IN
creased cost of living and the increase
In the price OF coal resulting from the
European war and that he himself
had been a party TO a further increase
last October because the entrance OF
the United States into the war had
been matter that they could not
have foreseen in making their pre-
yious agreement and entirely changed
all economic conditions,
But this last agreement was made
because of our entrance into the war,
he told them, and with fun knowl-
edge of the fact that living prices
would increase. 1t was for two years.
IF we can't demonstrate through a
body like the United Mine Workers
of America. a fine body of men, rep
resentative OF labor. thoroughly high
class. that our agreements are sacred
and binding then we can't say that
democracy can make the world safe"
DR. Garfield told the district presi-
dents.
II can't so to the president and ask
for another increase in the price of
coal which an increased wage would
force. and won't.
the wages now fixed are right. II the
presidents com mission now studying
The cost of living and the relative posi-
ton of wages in the various industries
makes a complete readjustment of
wages. then on the basis it may estao-
Fish there may be ground for a
change. But not now,
The result of an increase in one
industry is increased cost of its pro-
duct then increased wages in an
other industry and increased cost of
its product. in a perpetual seesaw,
until the salaried man Is submerged
and the low-wage man Is starving.
What we have to do now Is hold
wages and cost of living in balance
until the presidents committee can
complete its investigation and then.