The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1920-03-11
COMMISSION
OF COALMEN
CAN'T AGREE
Majority Report on Trade
Given to President, But
Miners Representatlve tive
Dissents, 1t is Said.
Is PER CENT INCREASE
(By Associated Press)


WASHINGTON, March II. - A 25
per cent wage increase for bituminous
coal miners Is recommended in the
majority report of the commission ap-
pointed by President Wilson to settle
the coal strike.
No change in working hours or con-
fitions was recommended. John T.
White, representing the miners, held
out for higher wage increase, 1t was
said. and will submit a minority
report.
The wage increase proposed will abb
sorb the IA per cent granted when the
miners returned to work last Novem-
ber, so that the actual increase is IL
per cent over present wages.
Recommends System Retention.
The majority recommended that the
frheckoff system, by which the oper-
TAtors collect from the miners dues to
the unions be retained. 1t also rec
commended that the question of differ
ences be referred to a special COM
mission to be appointed by the joint
wage scale conference and to report in
two years.
The wage increase would not be
made retroactive. The commission
did not ask that the powers of the
fuel administration be conferred on
It.
No Price Increase Recomr IN ended.
The majority made no recommen-
dation as TO price increases to recov
er the advance in wages. It's state
ment that it did not ask for fuel ad-
ministration powers was taken to
mean that it held that the question
Of increased prices was one for the
fuel administration to decide.
The majority recommendations
were submitted today to President
Wilson, but have not yet been made
public. white house officials saying
that they were awaiting the minority
report from Mr.. White
Rembrandt Peale, representing the
operators, Joined with Henry NJ Rob-
inson, representing the public. in sign
Ing the majority report.
Work to Settle Differences.
The report was submitted to the
president only after the commission
had labored for several days in an eff
fort to compromise it's differences and
make an unanimous report as it was
requested to do in the letter from
President Wilson creating it last No
vember.
Demands Were Modified.
The miners originally demanded a
so per cent increase in wages and a
30 hour week. but after conferences
Ghere with Secretary Wilson and the
-ISperators, they modified their de-
mands to 40 per cent increase
When the strike was called off the
miners were granted a temporary IN.
crease of IA per cent, until the com
mittee could meet and hear all facts
This increase was attacked by for
mcr Fuel Administrator Garfield, who
insisted that this advance added tC
tHHse received during the war, brought
the miners wages up to the level OF
tho cost of wing.
NEW YORK. March 1.-THE sub
committee of operators and miners
appointed to negotiate a new wage
agreement for the anthracite Goa
miners, held its first conference here
today. The sessions are eXpec:c ID tc
continue for several weeks before I
definite decision is rCach"d
Neither the miners nor operators
ere hopeful of an early deci :ion Il,
no definite agreement will be reached
until the bituminous coal commits siol
hands down its award in the case o
the soft coal miners. Reports from
{
Washington. have failed to disclos,
what progress is being made.
Hope Early Decision.
Mine workers arc hopeful that III
carly decision will be reached by tn
soft coal commission, so as to avoit
the possibility of a suspension o
mining in both hard and soft Goa
fields.
Asked when he expected the bitu
minous commission to make its award
John L. Lewis, international presiden
Aof the United Mine Workers, said
o "It is impossible for me to forecas
the date of a possible decision. I ar
concerned that the committee has no
made a report up to this time.
will be recalled that existing was
agreements do not run beyond frarc
81. I am hopeful that a decision wi
be rendered at an early date so as t
insure a continuance Of coal produ(