New-York tribune., 1920-03-24
WilsOn Ends
S. Control
Of Coal Rate
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the commission in his possession, and
in the interim has used all the infiu-
lance Of his Office, privately. to bring
about an acceptance. The operators.
#however, stood resolutA against the
auggestion that they should be made
TO absorb the increased wages out Of
Nfheir profits, and in this they were
backed up by the opinion of counsel
that the government could not force
under the powers heretofore retained
by the government, they will be COM
PEELED to absorb so much of the Gar
Held award as they have already paid
out in wages, after that day, the whole
of the substitute award of q per cent
may be charged to the coal users Of
The country in increased prices for
fuel.
That the operators, In turn, will avail
themselves Of this opportunity is in
dicated by the fact that they have
consistently contended that their
profits have not been such as to JUS
4lfy the IA per cent advance.
With this prospect apparently in
mind, the President, in his letter to-
cay TO the TWO SIDES. says:
II am aware that at present, as
result Of the shortage created by the
coal strike, and of the consequent in
reference with transportation and as a
result also of an exceptionally unfavor-
able winter, the demand for coal con-
tines active. l desire to impress upon
she coal operators the extreme i'm
portance not only of their complying
to the fullest extent with the laws
against combinations in restraint of
trade and against profteering, but also
OF their exerting themselves affirm
atively to preventing Of unreasonable
prices for coal"
The majority award by making the
proposed contracts continue until
March 81, 1922, rejects the demand Of
the miners that contracts henceforth
shall terminate in the fall, instead of
in the spring.
Advances for Workers
Tonnage workers are to receive for
mining mine-run coal, pick and ma
chine, "a cents q ton more than they
received before the Garfield award.
All day labor and monthly men are
advanced dollar q day, except strap
pers and other boys, who are advanced
b3 cents day.
All rates for yardage, dead work and
L..
The fulfillment Of all joint and dis
trict agreements is to be guaranteed
by the officers of the international or
ganization.
The six-hour day and five-day week
demands Of the miners are rejected,
the eight-hour day being retained.
Other features of the award are:
The practise of car pushing stands.
but with recommendations for careful
consideration of ways and means for
the introduction Of ameliorating prac-
tises.
Rules are set up under which new
machinery can be introduced in the
mines and thoroughly tested.
A commission is set up for the CEN
tral competitive field to handle ques-
tions Of differentials in rate and GER
tain other matters.
If the recommendations of the Presi-
dents industrial conference are adopt
ed in regard TO industrial tribunals and
boards Of inquiry, this machinery is
to be put into use in the coal indus
try. Otherwise special board is to
be set up.
Explosives are to be furnished to
miners at cost, cost to include handling
and insurance.
House coal is to be furnished to the
miners at the tipple at the price they
we're paying on October 81, 1919, plus
the average percentage allowed as an
increase on the wage scale, j. e., 27
per cent-the miners to pay for de-
livery at cost.
Charges for Blacksmith
Charges for blacksmithine are not
70 exceed three-quarters Of l per cent
OF the miners gross earnings.
The report also recommends:
That an executive order be issued In
structing departments and Federal
agencies to buy and store the winters
supply of coal before July Of each year.
That the Council of National De-
the. support Of the general public for
coal storage.
That an executive memorandum bo
issued to the Interstate Commerce
Commission, to the end that the com
INFUSION may aid in the solution Of the
transportation prnblems outlined, with
particular attention to the question of
car distribution.. as well as the prob
lem Of RAILWAY coal pupchase for stor-
age.
That the Governors 81. the various
states be asked to issue exec utive or
.ders TO state institutidns and depart
ments for the purchase and storage
OF winter coal during the summer
months.
That state railway and public utility
corporations use their influence with
the various utility commissions to In
duce the purchase and storage Of coal
by those corporations, rejecting If
necessary the cost of such storages in
the rates.
That a copy Of this report go to the
railroads to the end that they may CO.
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