The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-09-17
COAL COMMISSION
SPLIT OVER WAGES
MAJORITY RECOMMENDS A GEN
ERAL ADVANCE IN PAY OF
TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT
MINERS MAN ReJECTSRULING
Preparing a Minority Report Recon-
mendino a Seven-hour Day and
Wage increase Of Approx
mateIy 35 Per Cent

NhsHinRtoH, MHrcn Io.-Ine conf
mission appointed by President Wilson
to settle the coal strike has split on
the questions Of wage Increases and
hours of work.
The ma jority-Henry Nj. Robinson,
chairman, representing the public, and
Rembrandt Peale, representing the OPP
erators--in n report submitted to Pres
ident Wilson Thursday, Is understood
TO have recommended a general wage
advance of approximately % per cent
and that the hours and conditions of
labor remain unchanged. The increase
included the IA per cent granted after
the miners returned to work.
John =. White, representing the
miners, refused to concur in this SET
Element. He Is preparing a minority
report In which 1t Is reported that
he VIII recommend seven-hour day
and wage increase of approximately
35 per cent.
In advance of the publication of the
two reports. officials of the United
Mine Workers of America would not
discuss the probable course of the
miners. Since their. representative on
the commission had refused to accept
the majority decision, however, 1t was
regarded as certain that they would
not accept the settlement it proposes.
"iiiia.n Green, secretary of the
miners union. after a conference yes
terday with Secretary Tumulty at the
White House, said there was no radi-
cal difference between the majority
and Mr.. White and expressed the hope
that the differences would be lroned
out at joint meetings between the OPP
orators and the miners.
President Wilson, In inviting the
of the commission to under
take a settlement, said 1t was impor-
fant that their conclusions be reached
by unanimous action. Since the COM
missions decision is not unanimous
there Is much speculation as to the
presidents next step.
The operators would not dis uss
this matter In advance of a deci lion
by the president, but 1t was plain that
the miners and some Administered IN Of
Ficials expected Mr.. Wilson to invite
the two sides to get together on the
basis Of the majority and minority =
ports and seek an amicable settlement.
In addressing the commission the
president said that IL a readjustment
II prices of coal shall be found neces-
'ary | shall be pleased to transfer to
he commission the powers heretofore
rested In the fuel administration for
hat purpose.
While the commission was UNDER
stood not to have asked for these
powers, Ii was suggested in some ap-
well Informed quarters that |
he individual commissioners would |
propose that some price advance be |
made on the basis Of the facts adj
|uced ut the long hearings held by
he commission since Its appointment
asst December.
The commission began its hearings
January II with the understanding be-
ween the government and the miners
hat Its report would be made within
0 days, which period expired yester.
ay.
The commission would have no au-
hority to enforce its findings had its
eport been unanimous. However.
hen IL began hearings the miners
greed unreservedly to abide by Its
ecision and the operators accepted
3 Jurisdiction with the reservation
hat they could not be bound by any
rice advance for q period subject
the life of the Lever food con-
-ol law, as this might subject them
prosecution under the antitrust
Tvs.
Throughout the hearings the oper
tors insisted that many mines could
ut operate Ii wages were advanced
Mess there was corresponding In.
tease In coal prices. The miners
intended against this position and
larged that the operators had made
rye profits during the war.
The miners originally demanded a
per cent increase and 30 hours of
ork y week the year round In the
'nferences with the operators called
Secretary Wilson after the gov
'nment had obtained an injunction
end the coal strike, their representa-
yes reeeded from this and agreed TO
'cept MIR. Wilson's proposal for 81.
n cent increase in wages and n ,
ven-hour day.