The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-23
Effective April 1-Paves Way
for Increases to Absorb
Wage Advance.
PRESIDENT TRANSMITS
MAJORITY REPORT
No Further Efforts to Regu-
late Quotation-Warning
Against Profiteering

<AB dIuSL TIOIlIe6TlnR.
Washington, March 23.-Presiden
Wilson today withdrew government
control of the price of bituminou.
coal so that the 27 per cent. wag,
advance for miners recommended by
the majority of the coal strike settle
ment commission may be absorbed il
the price the consumer will pay after
April /. The commission estimated
this wage advance at $200,000,000 q
year.
At the same time the president
wrote the operators and miners
transmitting the majority report oi
the coal commission and informing
them that this report was the basis
upon which the wage schedule agree
lnents between the mine workers and
operators shall be made"
April l is the date on which these
agreements normally would become
effective and by removing govern
ment control of prices effective that
day, the president paves the way for
increased coal prices to absorb the
average 27 per cent. increase recon-
1aended in the majority report.
The president wrote the operators
and miners that it was Essential to
the public welfare that the agree
mentS be concluded at the earliest
date practicable so that the uncer-
tainty as to the fuel supply may be
ended and that the consumers may
be able to make contracts for their
coal supply"
Of Binding Character.
The president said he assumed that
neither party would raise any ques-
ton and that he was sure that no
question could properly be raised as
TO the binding character of the award
by the majority of the commission,
Notwithstanding the fact that it was
not unanimous.
The executive order withdrawing
government control of prices removes
virtually all government control OF
coal, placing the fuel administration
in the status that it was before its
authority was restored when the
miners struck last Nov. l.
Until Emergency Comes.
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, ]
would not feel justified in fixing coal
prices in reference to future condi-
tions Of production"
The majority report of the COM
Emission said the 27 per cent increase
absorbed the II per cent, increase al
slcwed when the miners returned to
work and that in dollars it would
approximate $20,000,000 q year,
Refusing 30-Hour Week.
In refusing the demand of the
miners for a thirty hour week tie
Haiority of the commission said that
if the workday were shortened by
one hour it would be equivalent to an
additional cost of more than $780,
100000.
The minority report of John =,
White, the miners representative,
held out for a higher increase for all
day labor and monthly men than
were granted by the majority, but
he concurred in the recommendation
for the increase of % cents per ton
on pick and machine coal. His re-
port was transmitted to the opera
tors and miners by the president for
their information.
The general terms of two reports
previously had been published.
Summary of Decision.
The decision of the majority
Henry NJ. Robinson representing the
public and Rembrandt Peale repre-
senting the operators-is summarized
as follows:
Unless otherwise ordered, the
terms and conditions of the Wash
ington agreement of 1917 continue,
The IA per cent. increase in wages
fixed by the fuel administration is
eliminated on March 81 and replaced
by this award (Which is on a "a per
cent. basis).
The agreements drafted under this
award are to take effect April l,
1920. and continue in effect until
March 81, 1922 On other words, the
miners do not get their demand for
termination of contracts in the falD.
The mining prices for mining mine
run coal, pick and machine, are ad-
vanced q cents.
All day labor and monthly men arc
advanced 81 a day, except trappers
and other boys, who are advanced
% cents a day.
All rates for yardage, dead work
and room turning are advanced 20
per cent.
The fulhlment of all joint and dis
trict agreements is to be guaranteed
hv the officers of the International
organization.
The six-hour day and the five-day
week are not granted; the eight
hour day is retained.
II Plan is Adopted.
The practice Of car pushing stands,
hut with recommendations for care
ful consideration Of ways and means
Tor the introduction Of amcliorating
practices
A commission is set up for the
central competitive field to handle
questions of difCrcntials IN rate and
certain other matters.
If the recommendations Of the
presidents industrial conference arc
adopted in regard 10 industrial tri-
bunals and boards OF inquiry, this
machinery is to be put into use in
the coal industry. Otherwise spe-
Ciai board Is to be set mp.
Explosives are TO be furnished
miners at cost.
The operators were warned by Pres
dent Wilson against violating laws
rrainst combination In restraint of trade
aud prohteering and also not TO exact