Evening star., 1920-01-12
COAL Miners WILL
ACCEPT FINDINGS
OF Commission
Operators Will Abide by Rul-
ings 'on Ten Questions
They Submit.

They Submit.
Assurance by the bituminous coal
miners that they would accept with
out reservation" the findings of the
commission appointed by President
Wilson was given at the first public
hearing of the commission today. The
operators would go no further than
to say they would accept the commits
Sion's ruling ION any point submitted
to arbitration" and submitted Il list
of ten questions which they asked the
commission TO answer in order to de-
fine moro clearly the scope of the in
quiry.
After the session had continued an
hour the operators asked an adjourn
ment until tomorrow morning IN order
that they might consider the situation
further in the light of information al
ready obtained and this course was
taken.
Commission Called TO Order.
The commission was called to or
der in the assembly room at national
headquarters of ths Red Cross. Henry
NJ. Robinson, the president, beng IN
the chair with Rembrandt Peale and
John =. White, the other members.
present. After announcing the pur-
pose of the inquiry. ana reading Pres
ident Wilson's letter appointing the
members oil Jne Fo1flllLSSiOU, W uItii
has power to- rcadjuSt wages and
prices in the soft coal industry, Mr..
Robinson asked the representatives
of the miners who would speak for
them.
John T.. Lewis, acting president of
the United Mine Workers of America.
replied that the International. officers
OF the union would represent that
group. and that, in addition. the
miners asked that one district repre-
=, 4 .,t-- - 1n 6,ra n
Mr.. Robinson then asked the miners
if they were present to assist the
commission and if they would abide by
its findings.
The United Mine Workers are here
to assist the bituDli inous coal commits
sion in every proper and practical
way to arrive at a truthful conclu-
sion" said Mr.. Lewis. I'VE will CO.
operate in any way we are asked, and
say without reservation that we shall
abide by the Judgment Of the COM
mission"
Presents Operators Position.
When the same questions were
put to the operators. Thomas T.
Brewster, chairman of the scale COM
mittee, said he would enter an ap-
pearance for the operators" and said
he was instructed 90 present their
position in writing. He then read
the following:
he OPcTdtOES SCdic
representing only the central compet-
itive field. are here in response to the
invitation of your commission.
THE notification requests them. at
this initial meeting, to state their
position.
The operators have advised them
selves, so far as was within their
power, in respect Of the subject matter
of the arbitration by examination of
the Presidents letter of appointment
addressed to the members of the COM
mission and the separate documents
and statements therein referred to.
From such examination the opera
tors have been unable to determine
the exact scope and character of the
contemplated arbitration in respect to
some matters of vital Importance to
the industry and to the public.
We take this, our first opportunity,
to assure the commission that we are
in hearty accord with any plan that
will settle the present controversy
between the miners and operators and
prevent the recurrence of strikes and
the suspension of the supply of neces-
sary fuel to meet the needs of the
country, and we hope to be able to
promptly advise the commission of
our ability to cooperate with the COM
mission in arriving at such results.
Ten, aue.tfons Asked.
TN order. however, that we may be
in a position to intelligently comply
with the request of the commission
for q statement Of the operators po-
sition, we respectfully ask that we.
be advised as ito the following mat
ters: =" -.
81. Is it the intention of the COM
mission to Investigate and act upon
matters in the central competitive
field only? "a, -,
80 win the award of the commits
sion. be final and constitute a con-
hindincr hnth
"3. Will the commission. in it's
award, provide a method by which
the contract entered into may be en-
forced?
"a. Will the commission Investigate
and act upon matters brought before
1t by either party. including the
check off system now in effect?
"5. VIII the commission fix the
basic principles upon which evidence
is to be submitted. particularly with
regard to wages?
SO. Does the commission understand
that it has the authority, should the
facts warrant such findings. to adjust
wages either upward or downward?
81. Does the commission consider it
Is practicable to make a retroactive
award, either as to wages or selling
prices OF coal?
IS. Will the commission immedi-
steiy determine the cost of coal dur :
ing the year 1919. and the present
cost DdSeu upon the II pei cent az
vance granted the miners. to deter
mine fair selling prices to be effective
at once. having in mind the fair and
reasonable profit provided by the Lever
law?
80 Will the commissions award
as to selling prices of coal be made
to expire simultaneously with the eX-
piration of the Lever law?
10. Will the commission provide in
its award for the introduction of i'm
proved devices which may serve TO
reduce the cost OF coal and con-
sequently the cost to the public?
'Respectifully,
s"The scale committee of the central
competitive field. By
."T It BREWSTER