The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-17
LABOR CONDITIONS
 IN MINE INDUSTRY
 ID BE DISCUSSED
Conference Called to Avert Developing Condition That Might Undermine Coal
 Production Plans

Indianapolis, August 1s.-Labor condi- tions in the coal mining industry, for which 'the only logical solution is a substantial flat wage increase, to be applied to all classifications of mine labor" will be discussed at conference of district presidents of the United Mine Workers to be held in Washington, Au- gust 22, according to announcement made here tonight by Frank J. Hayes. pres ident of the United Mine Workers of America.
 In announcing the conference, Presi- dent Hayes said it had been called ito avert, if possible, rapidly developing labor condition within the coal industry which, if permitted to go unchecked' would undermine coal production plans.
 The wage increase can be met ana applied by the coal operators without the necessity of an increase in the seilins price of coal to the consuming puptic' asserted the miners official, who added that the paying of bonuses by many mine owners now .:s indsputable evidence that the industry is able to bear an ad- vance in wages.
 If wages are not increased to those not now receiving bonuses to the equiva- lent of the bonuses now being received by other miners then the industry faces a sure and, certain loss of needed man power.
 .For. the protection of our entire war programme to keep the wheels of busi- ness industry going full blast, it is neces- sary that wage adjustment be made on basis that will put an end to the wholesale competition foremen and
 | ,sx,Ae xrrEn h would Hike to remain, if but given the 5 equivalent wage possible for him to receive in other industries"
 MT Hayes then refers to a conference between officials of the fuel administra- ton and the international officers of the United Mine Workers, held in Washing ton July % and 90, and quotes letter addressed to Dr. H. A. Garfield, United States fuel administrator, and signed by President Hayes, Vice President John l.. Lewis and Secretary William Green of the United Mine Workers. In this let <. ter the miners officials state that thelr files show that operators in Illinois, ohio and Pennsylvania are paying their mn CTS bonuses, while the operators or the southwestern states and i'll Tennessee and eastern Kentucky petitioned the fuel ad- ministration to prohibit, by executive or der, the paying of bonuses above the schedule of prices of the, wage agree
 
 ment negotiated in Washington in Octo- Der, 1917, and approved at the biennial convention of the miners in January 1917, Such an order, the letter states. would be fraught with grave danger and would unquestionably result in serious decrease of production, and would DC met by keen resentment on the part ol the great number of miners directly af- fected'
 The officials of the miners, in their let ter. arrive at the conclusion that the only sensible, logical solution is a SUD stantial flat wage increase to be ap piled to- all classlhcations of mine labol throughout the country. Such an actlof would only make general and officia what is now being done by the opera tors in substance and effect and such aI < increase can be met and applied by th' coal operators of the United States With out the necessity of an increase in tht selling price of coal to the consuming public Tn the emergency, which is now unuuestionably facing the mining indus try. we are convinced that no other plan save the wage increase we suggest, vii meet requirements and properly protec the interest of our nation.'