The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-12-17

MAY MEAN e
PR, ct. ADVANCE
COAL OPERATOR MAKES
SURPRISING STATEMENT
Fuel Administration Engineer
Sees Menace in Tripartite
Commission

WASHINGTON, Dec. l6.-Thc senate
coal investigating committee resumins
today its inquiry into the administration
strike settlement agreement was told
by TraCy W. Guthrie. president OF the
Hillman Coal and Coke company, that
one claus" IN the proposition advanced
By President Wilson and accepted by inc
miners would bring about an increase
in the miners wages at least doubling
the fourteen percent which Dr. Harry
A. Garfield. resigned fuel administrator,
thought justified"
While the senate committee was pur-
suing it's inquiry the railroad admins
tration withdrew the last scmblance OF
the restrictions on fuel. resulting from
the strike, and began delivering coal 70
original consigncCs, instead of dlstribut-
ing it TO points Of greatest need. 1t re-
scinded the embargo on the movement
Of fuel oil out of the west. and the or
dcrs reducing the amount Of coal per-
United to go to cokinG ovens.
At the White House today 1t was said
that President Wilson would not appoint
the commission provided in the strike
settlement proposal until Attorney Gcncr-
al Palmer returns from the west late
this week.
Norris Testimony.
The senatorial inquiry was rc-opcned
with the calling of r. V. Norris. cngi-
nccr for the fuel administration, who
was conducted by Senator Frclinghuy-
SEN Republican, New Jersey, chairman
OF the committee. and Senator TOWNSEND.
Republican. Michigan. through maze or
statistics bearing on labor costs and
prices OF necessities.
'Sccrctary Wilson proposed that the
miners bc given an increase of 3l.6T
percent" Mr.. Norris explained. because
ne based his calculations on the pay
given pick miners. In 1917 when the
coal mine wages were rcadjusted, the
pick miners were getting the greatest
amount, and the scales were balanced
up BY giving them lesser increase
than other classes of labor around the
mines. This was necessary in order TO
induce men to do the other work.
"Dr. Garfield decided that 4 particular
wage group ought not to serve now As
basis for calculation. and took the
average wage OF all workers. After ar
riving at that. he found that an addition
Of fourteen percent TO their earnings
would compensate them for the cost OF
living since the last adjustments were
made"
witness approved OF the creation OF q
commission composed of one miner. one
mine operator, and o::3 representative
OF the Iubhc. with power 10 fix wages
and prices.
THAT would depend upon the makeup
OF the individuals" Norris returned. "but {
think at least n larger number ought
TO be named. 1t gives two interests a
chance 10 combine against the third
Much Idleness.
Mr.. Guthrie was called to present ac-
tual facts from payrolls upon wages.
About 20 percent Of miners are idle
all the time. according to our experience
with % mines" nc told the committee.
THAT is. VIC have 10 hayc l20 names OH
the payroll in order 10 get 100 men on
the job AZ constant factor. Miners
like To celebrate all American holidays
and lot of foreigners. Then they have
Mitchell Day on April !. in honor or
the late John Mitchell. They have Rab-
bit Day on November 10 when every
body adiOurns 20 shoot n rabbit"
From mine accounts. he read the re-
cord of. one miner who in i$7 days OF the
present year carnCd 5000. or an aver
age OF $3.50 Per day. He paid $72 rent
for company house during the period,
and his fuel bill was S. Other records
furn shed showed earnings during the
first nine months II 1919 ranging from
Sl,40n 10 S".lUU. for pick and machine
miners.
May Mean 20 Percent.
Senator Wai"ott. Democrat. Delaware.
drew out Mr.. Guthries view " the claim.
al double incrcaS" IN miners wages IN
vulvcd IN the settlement. by observing
same as that put forth by the president.
"!AS [ read the memorandum gwen uut
by Attorney General Palmer Mr..
Guihri" replied. 1T is proposed 10 set up
& commission with power I" fix wage
scales and coal prices. One OF the things
this commission Is 10 do is 70 go back
10 the mine district and settle what are
known as Internal differences and dis
pules over diffcrcntials. All previous