Evening star., 1920-03-23
j. S.PR|CE CONTROL
ENDS; COAL USERS
TOPAY WAGE RAISE
$500, 900, 900 Probable Sum
to Be Added to Cost by
Presidents Action.

Presidents Action.
President Wilson today withdrew
government control of the price of
bituminous coal. SO that the 81 per
commended by the majority of the
coal strike settlement commission.
may be absorbed in the price the con-
sumner will pay after April /. The
commission estimated this wage ad-
vance at $200,000.000 a year.
At the same time the President
made public the majority and minor
ity reports of the commission and
wrote the operators and miners ask
ing that they reach an agreement on
the basis of the majority report alone
uncertainty regarding the fuel situa-
tion might be removed.
The President wrote the operators ard
miners that it was essential to the
be concluded at the earliest date
practicable SO that the uncertainty
as to the fuel supply may be ended
and that the consumers may be able
to make contracts for their coal sup
ply"
The President said he assumed that
neither party would raise any ques-
tion and that he was sure that no
question properly could be raised as
to the binding character OF the award
by the majority of the commission,
notwithstanding the fact that it was
not unanimous.
Warns Against Pronteering.
The operators were warned by Presi-
dent Wilson against violating laws
against combinations in restraint Of
trade and profiteering. and also not to
exact Unreasonable prices for COAL"
Il am aware" said the President.
that at present. as a result of the
created by the coal strike
and of the consequent interference
with transportation. and as q result
also of the exceptionally unfavorable
winter, the demand for. coal continues
active. / desire to impress upon the
coal operators the extreme importance
fullest extent with the laws against
in restraint of trade and
against proilteering. but also of their
exeFting themselves ?@rmatively TO
pnces for coal am sure the public
where practicable. Of leaving CONNER
ciai trans4ctiofss fiA{f1mmeled, hut At
the same time I Am satisfied the pub
lie VIII md ways to protect itself II
such liberal policy shall appear to re-
suit in unreasonably high prices"
Removes Government Control
The executive order withdrawing
virtually all government control of
coal. placing the Fuel Administrative
in the status 1t was before it's author
ity was restored when the miners
struck last November 1.
The President said there was no
provision Of law for fixing new coal
prices for peacetime purposes, and
that unless and until some grave
emergency shall arise, which in my
judgment has a relation to the emer-
gency purposes Of the Lever act, I
would not fel justified in fixing coal
prices with reference to future con-
ditions of production"
The majority report of the commits
sion said the 27 per cent increase alb
sorbed the IA per cent increase al
lowed when the miners returned to
work, and that in dollars 1t would
approximate s200.000.000 a year.
In refusing the demand of the miners
for a thirty-hour week. the majority Of
the commission said that if the work
day were shortened by one hour II would
be equivalent to an additional cost of
more than s100. 900. 900.
Miners Minority Report.
The minority report of John P. White,
the miners representative. held out for
monthly men than were granted by the
majority, but he concurred in the rec
ommendation for a twenty-four-cent-p
ton increase on pick and machine min
ing. His report was transmitted to the
operators and miners by the President
for their information.
The general terms of the two reports
previously had been published. The de-
cision Of the majority-Henry M. Rob-
tvo H.
brandt Peale, representing the opera
tors. is summarized as follows:
Majority's Decision.
Unless otherwise ordered. the terms
and conditions of the Washington agree
ment of 1917 continue.
The IA per cent increase in wages fixed
by the Fuel Administration is eliminat-
ed on March 81. and replaced by this
award (Which is on a 81 per cent basis)
award are to take effect April 1. 1920.
and continue until March 81. 1922 lin
other words. the miners do not get
their demand for termination Of con-
tracts in the falD.
The mining prices for mining mine
run coal. pick and machine. are ad-
vanced "a cents.
All day labor and monthly men are
advanced a dollar a day. except trap
pers and other boys, who are ad-
vanced So cents a day.
All rates for yardage, dead work
and room turning are advanced 20 per
cent.
The fulfillment Of all joint and dis
trict agreements are to be guaran-
tced by the officers of the interna-
tional organization.
The six-hour day and che fiye-dav
week are not granted: the eight -hour
day is retained.
The practice of car pushing stands
but with recommendations for careful
consideration of ways and mean. ~.
the introduction of amelioratfnp 49,
tices.
A commission is set up for the csr-
trail competitive field to handle oTa.
tions of difYerentials in rate ana ce.
tain other matters.
If the recommendations NJ -.
Presidents industrial conference sre
adopted in regard to industriaI -.
bunals and boards Of inquiry ~.
machinery is to be put into use in ~ 3
coal industry. Otherwise a sneciaI
board is to be set up.
Explosives are to be Furnished
miners at cost.
Special boards are to be set for tb.
Kanawha. Paint Creek and Cahin
Creek fields. for district No. 12, Iiii-
nois, including Assumption and De
catur H.: also for the state of wash
ington. each commission to handle
specific local conditions.
Other Recommendations Made.
Other recommendation by the ma
jority included:
That departments and federal
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