Norwich bulletin., 1919-11-27

bring the average wages of mine workers up to this point at the pres ent time is IA per cent.
 Readjustments heretofore made since 1913 were such as to give cer- tain classes of mine workers an av- craze increase in excess of the in- crease in the cost of living, and cer tain others an average increase below the increase in the cost of living. This form of adjustment was made in order to establish or preserve certain rela- tive bases in the mining industry. do not think this condition, however, ought to result in giving to mine workers, as whole, and in conse- quence imposing upon the public, a total average increase in excess of the total average 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 excess of the increase in the cost of living. If this principle were adopted in in dustries generally, it is believed that the resulting cost would be passed along to the general public and the increased wages would increase in a rapid spiral taking as q minimum the percentage of 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 upon the working classes than upcn any other.
 It seems to me that the reasonable way to deal with this situation is to sgive to the industry as d whole an average increase commensurate with the increase in the cost of living and then let that amount of increase be apportioned in accordance with the wage bases that arc acceptable to the employers and the employees
 Control of prices by the govern nlent will be maintained for the pres ent. To Avert Further Controversy. The present negotiation stands by itself. but it is far from disposing of the fundamental controversy between operators and workers. That contro- versy is bound to be continuing one as matters now stand. It involves living conditions and conditions in the mines as well as wages and profits, and the general relation between op- orators and mine workers. Therefore, to aid in applying the principles which have governed us and which should govern in reaching conclusions in the futre, it is urged that a permanent consultative body, with purely advis- ory powers, be set up consisting of | the secretary of the interior as the ] chairman and of an equal number of | representatives of the operators and of the mine workers, chisen in such manner as they may each determine
 from time to time. In order that the ! data necessary for the consideration { nf | times be ava lie, it is urged that I the congress make provision for col lectiHg definite and trustworthy in- | formation concerning the coal and
 coke industry and for the tabulation of the same in quarterly reports show
 ing:
 i CD Production. distribution, stor-
 age and stocks of coal and coke: l (2) The cost of production and dis tribution and of maintaining suitable
 stocks, and any other data concern ing the industry demed necessary | (3) The cost of living in the several
 coal fields;
 (4) The selling prices and profits
 obtained by the operators, middle | men, and retail dealers;
 (5) Export requirements and the
 condition limiting them.
 The settlement of the present con. troversy on the wage and price basis
 above indicated must be considered ir
 the light of the proposal to set UT
 this permanent, consultative body While it will not have powers of de
 cision. it will hardly sem possible to g
 reasonable man that in the light of its
 conclusions demands for exhorbitant
 profits or unreasonable wages can be
 successfully maintained. or that con.
 ditions unfavorable to the American
 standard of living will be tolerated.