The New York herald., 1920-12-29
MINERS DEMAND
WAGE REVISION
Name Committee to Meet An
thracite Operators to Ad-
just Inequalities.
WOULD REOPEN AWARDS
Declare Industry Never More
Active and Deny Issue
Is Closed.
WOULD REOPEN AWARDS

Special Despatch to THE NEW YoEK HERALD.
HAzLEroN. Pa, Dec. 2s.--The scale
committee Of the United Nine Workers
instructed tonight the subcommittee.
consisting of the three district presi-
dents and Philip Murray, of Pittsburg,
international vice-president, to meet
with representatives Of the coal COM
panies. "and endeavor to work out
basis of settlement that will bring gen
eral satisfaction" and substantial
progress in the correction of the in
eaualities and injustices" which the
producers have agreed tn conside-
Taking UP the statement OF the opera
tors that "if there be individual cases
OF inequality they stand ready to agree
upon a constructive remedy" the COM
mittee construes that to mean "individ-
ual classes of employees. and the min
ers. in further conferences with the an
thracite interests. expect in this way
they may be able to straighten out mucn
OF the reported dissatisfaction over the
findings that became effective Septen-
Der ..
stems will be taken at once to arrange
with the operators for further meetings.
The committee of the operators ~ the
same that comprises their memDership
on the conciliation board. whose other
three members are the district presidents
of the mine workers. The board Is sched-
uled for a session tomorrow in Phila-
delphia to draw up the new scale OF
pay for the hosting engineers. as called
for by the award.
Outside of the presence of Vice Presi-
dent Murray the entire issue is now in
the hands of the peace body, whose de-
cisons. however. on any Individual re-
adjustments will not be binding unless
agreed to by both parties to the con-
tract.
The operators statement relative 70
the general decline OF business activity
does not have any weight as an argu-
ment, said the statement of the scale
committee. because the anthracite indus
try was never III greater activity than at
present, and the demand shows no les
sening, but to the contrary may become
greater, due 10 approaching cold weather.
There IS. therefore, no comparison be-
tween anthracite mining and other
manufacturing interests.
I'VE appreciate the fact as stated in
their answer that an award and an
agreement existing in the region.'"
added the statement, but we also point
out for the information of the operators
and the public In general that the
award and agreement could be modi-
fed or changed In great or small de-
gree by mutual agreement OF the con-
tracing parties. and that this was the
Interpretation placed upon the telegram
of the President by Secretary Of Labor
W. b. Wilson. II Is idle for the op-
orators 70 set up the argument that the
basic agreement could not be legally
changed because such is not correct, and
tho position of the Secretary Of Labor
verlfies our contention and argument
that the basic agreement could be
changed Il the operators were dis
posed TO do so. and the change would be
legal from every standpoint.
I'VE deny that we have treated lightly
the award of the commission. but we
admit that we have protested emphati-
cally against what we did consider and
do now consider az Injustice and in
equalitios in that award. and which we
have asked to be corrected.
THE scale committee realizes that TO
change the award and the agreement re-
duires the mutual agreement of both
parties. and to that extent We appre-
oiate the handicaps placed against the
mine workers In having our contentious
sustained and remedies agreed upon
We emphasize the point. however. that
our sole desire Is 10 work out a con-
structive programme that will give gen
eral satisfaction TO the great body OF
anthracite mine workers and stability 20
the region. Having these thoughts In
mind. our subcommittee is hereby in
structed and authorized 10 meet with the
representatives OF the operators and en-
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