The Washington times., 1920-01-12
OWNERS
PROVE BALKY
Bituminous Operators Refuse to
Accept Commissions RuI-
ings Without Reservations.

Bituminous coal operators repre-
senting all the districts of the coun-
try declined to accept, without res
ervation, the authority Of the Coal
Commission to inquire into wages
and fix prices at the initial session
of the commission today.
The operators asked ten questions
on which answers are desired from
the commission and which may be a
condition precedent to the operators
going ahead in the hearing.
Miners Agreed to Accept.
Miners agreed TO accept the commits
sion's wage award without reserva-
ton.
The statements OF both miners and
operators were presented to the com
mission, appointed to bring about set
Element OF the coal controversy. as the
inquiry opened, John Lewis. acting
president of the United Mine Workers,
spoke for the miners, and Thomas
Brewster, for the operators.
Questions of OPERATOR.
Brewster in a long statement raised
the reservations in the form OF ques.
tions. The questions he propounded
are:
1. viii the investigation be con-
fined 70 the central competitive field
only?
2. Will the award be final and con-
stituting a new wage contractT
8. viii the commission provide a
way to enforce the decision?
4. VIII the commission investigate
and consider the "check-off' systcm?
8. VIII the commission fix a basic
principle by taking evidence reid-
tive to wages?
9. Does the commission have the
power to adjust wages upward or
downward?
z. Will the findings Of the commits
sion on wages be retroactive?
8. Will the commission determine
the cost Of producing coal in 1919.
and adding II per cent for wage in
creases. determine fair prices now:
0. VIII the award apply simultane-
ously with the expiration OF the Lev
cr sct7
TO- Will the commission take In due
consideration improved devices in
mining as factors in the cost Of opera
tioni
Claims Classification. sougSt.
There was wordy exchange be-
tween Chairman Robinson. of the
commission, and Brewster, during
which Robinson demanded to know II
answers to these questions by the
commission are a condition precedent
to the operators submitting to the
final award. Brewster said they were
to clarity the issues. and IL anything
is to be submitted to arbitration
they wanted aiclear statement as to
what was being submitted.
Robinson wanted to know II the
| answers were not satisfactory to the
operators. what would they do. Brew
ster stated that in anything submit
ted to arbitration by them they ould
abide by the award, and he added
that those matters should be sub
mitted by stipulation.
Taken Under Consideration.
Robinson announced the commission
would consider the operators ques-
tions and would make q statement
later.
In opening the hearing, Robinson
urged speed in the matter Of bringing
evidence before the commission. Rob-
inson declared tina tall fields would
have an opportunity to present their
case before the commission and that
kthe action beginning with the CEN
trail competitive district would enable
the commission to form basis in
dealing with other districts.
Miners Will Abide.
Robinson then proceeded to ad-
dress the miners and bluntly asked
them IL they came prepared to abide
by the commissions decision.
"We are here to assist and Good
crate in reaching a decision" said
Lewis. 1--WE have no reservations to
make and shall abide by the commits
sion's decision"