Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-11-27

! Continued from page one.)
cost of living and for the weighted
average of wage increases. Accord
ing to these figures the cost of liv-
ing has risen 1913 per cent since
/ 1913, and the amount necessary to
/ bring the average wages of mine
workers up to this point at the
present time is Ia per cent.
"Readjustments heretofore made
since 1913 were such as to give GER
tain classes of mine workers an av-
erage increase in excess of the in
crease in the cost of living and GER
tain others an average increase be-
low the increase in the cost of liv-
, ing. This form of adjustment was
made in order to establish or pre-
serve certain relative basis in the
mining industry. ] do not think this
condition, however, ought to result
in giving to mine workers as a
whole, and in consequence, impos-
ing upon the public. total average
increase in excess of the total aver
age increase in the cost of living,
because, if this course be adopted,
the result would be that the total
increased burden placed upon the
mining industry will be far in ex-
cess of the increase in the cost Of
living. If this principle were APP
piled in industries generally, it is
would be passed along to the gener-
al public. and the increased wages
would increase in rapid spiral TAX
=
increase in the cost of living.
"In the long run, this would add
many new and serious burdens to the
cost of living of the entire public
and would fall more injuriously up
on the working classes than upon
any others.
ut seems to me that the reason
able way to deal with this situation
is to give to the industry as whole
an average increase commensurate
with the increase in the cost of liv-
ing and then let that amount of in
crease be apportioned in accordance
/ with the wage basis that are ac-
, ceptable to the employers and the
employees.
Control of prices by the govern
ment will be maintained for the pres
| ent.''
1.-THE present negotiation stands
for itself but it is far from disposing
of the controversy between the op-
orators and mine workers. That
controversy is bound to be continu-
ing one. as matters now stand. 1t in
wolves living conditions and condi-
tions in the mines, as we'll as wages
and profits and the general relation
between operators and mine workers.
Therefore, to aid in applying the
principles which have governed US,
and which should govern in reaching
conclusions in the future. it is urged
that a permanent consultative body,
with purely advisory powers, be set
up, consisting of the secretary of the
interior as chairman and of an equal
number of representatives of opera
tors and of the mine workers. chos-
/! en- in such manner as they may each
determine from time to time. In or
der that the data necessary for the
consideration of this consultative
body may at all times be available, it
is urged that the congress make pro-
vision for collecting definite and
trustworthy information concerning
the coal and coke industry and for
the tabulation Of the same in quar-
terly reports, showing:
q. Production, distribution, stor-
age of stocks of coal and coke.
'2. The cost of production and
distribution and of maintaining suit
able stocks, and any other data con-
corning the industry deemed neces-
sary.
SO. The cost of living in the sew
eral coal fields.
"a. The selling prices and profits
offered by the operators, middlemen
and retail dealers.
"5. Export requirements and the
conditions limiting them.
"The settlement of the present
controversy on the wage and price
basis above indicated must be con-
sidered in the light of the proposal to
set up this permanent, consultative
body While it will not have powers
of decision, it will hardly seem
possible to reasonable man that in
the light of its conclusions, demands
for eXorbitant profits or unreason-
able wages can be successfully main
tanned orsthat conditions unfavorable
to the American standard of living
will be tolerated"
Say Profits Big.
BltumlnouS coal mines east of the
Mississippi river in 1917 made "what
u might be termed fabulous prices" the
general average being from 100 to
$50 per cent on invested capital, ac-
cording to statement issued to-
night by Secretary Glass furnished on
data furnished by experts of the in
ternal revenue bureau