The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-18

Members of the legislature re-
 gard the situation as serious for all
 persons connected with the strike
 and the general public in addition.
 and expressed the opinion that def
 mite action will he taken before
 adjournment, which will force em-
 pioycrs and employees to accept
 some common ground of adjust-
 ment.
 The bill, which was introduced in tho
 house by Representative oscar l.. Tompkins of Dothan and in the senate by Senator w. P. Acker of Calhoun.
 went to the senate and house judiciary
 committee, and great fight is ex-
 pected, as labor leaders contend that
 the measure will strike down their
 greatest protection, the right to 1uit
 work in order to force an agreem snt.
 The coal commission informed Gov. ernor Kilby and the legislature that sp agreement among the operators and striking miners is impossibl as the operators decline to recognize the
 union. while the miners insist that recognition of the union is their chief demand
 The commission went into an ,.x- hdustiNe report or its findings, and
 charged that both sides must be given portion of the responsibility for the disturbed conditions.
 There has been in.tsnces of "sheer proffteering in the coal in- dustry,' the report declares. This phase of the situation ought to he promptly and thoroughly investi- gated. We are convinced that the spread between the mine and the 1 cellar is by far too great. l It was stated that mine workers
 are seeking to force the operators to l recognize their organization, and arc
 refusing any proposal for the arbitra- I ton of the subject. The committee re- Iported that no complaint had been sub
 mitted regarding working hours. nv- ing conditions or wages, with the sim ! gle exception that the mine workers
 placed different interpretation on he
 award of the bituminous coal commit
 tee from that placed by the coal opera 1 tors.
 DIFFERENCE UNIMPORTANT "The net difference In fnterpre- tatfon, when reduced to figures. fs so inconsfderabIe thnt it cannot be regarded as an important factor in the serious controversy now under | consideration,v continued the re- | as previously stated. Is recognition of the miners union. The union I officials claim that the bitumfnous ! coal communications expressly provided should meet them in conference. 1 In It's findings that the operators 1 The operators deny that claim. The union officers sought to effect l such n meeting in order thereby to force recognition. The operators refused to meet the union officials in order thereby to obviate that very thing"
 The commission said the dispute l came about over the statement regard 1 ing representations made in the find- ings of the bituminous coal commis-
 sion. the miners contendlng that tais meant officials of the United Mine ] Workers. and the operators insisting that it meant merely persons who
 worked with the miners and had a per l sonal Interest in an agreement. AGREEMENT IMPOSSIBLE The commission went into details in explaining the controversy and in 1 showing that an agreement cannot he hoped for It declared that the pub 1 lie has a great interest in the orderly. production of coal and must be pro- tected from the suffering and dissd Nantages which come from a long strike. IT therefore proposed the bill which Governor kilby urged the leg islature to enact
 The bill creates coal commission Of three to be selected by the governor from seven names presented to htm by the supreme court of Alabama. The commission will serve for an indefinite time and the governor may at any time call for new nominations by the su- preme court Each member will re- Or ftf1 Jatx- .ft. Al in the work and all necessary expenses. An appropriation of s1o.oeo year Is made in the bill
 Full power Is given the commits sion to direct the operntioR of the coal industry and provision Is made for m office and clerical asSistnncs at the capitol. It win have the authority of indiciary officers in obtaining testimony nnd Tn making investigntion~ and may, when . controversy is begun. force all pep.
 sons conpected with 1t to appear md give evidence md may make temporary findings which will pro- tcct the public interest and whlcA must he obeyed by both sides to the controversy. In addition 10 the
 making of orders for the settlement of disputes, the commission mny re- quire the equitable distribution of coal throughout the state. Each coal company will be required to report to the commission it's mouth. | ly output and such other information
 as may assist the commission in reach- {. ing proper conclusions as to the uis- ttribution, disagreements, etc No nePs l son will be permitted to engage in the
 coal business in the future without the consent of the commission. Any ,er- 1 son or corporation falling to maks such a report will forfeit the license
 and will be engaged in an unla'vful business thereafter. and will be subject to penalty of ten dollars for every day The commission will have DO yer | to order any change in the operation ! of the coal industry as It may think necessary for the good of the public This right will include the fixing of working and living conditions. hours | of labor and reasonable minimum lwage scale or standards of wages. tho
 tContinued on page Iwel