Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-09-02

Means sa5,o00,OOo Raise in Coal Dig
oers' Pay-President Strikes Out
Provision Fixing Terms Of Re-
troactive Payments.

Washington, Aug. 31.-President
Wilson approved the majority report
of the anthracite coal commission IN
creasing the wages of contract miners
20 per cent over present rates.
Miners employed as company men
are given an increase OF II per cent
ard the same amount is given con
sideratiOn miners" and miners LABOR
ers and monthly men.
The findings, the report said, would
fix a minimum rate of 521a cents per
hour for the lower paid men IN fhe
anthracite industry.
The president struck out of the re-
port a provision fixing the terms OF
retroactive payments under the award
which he said was outside the com
missions Jurisdictions Tho;aas Ken
nedy, chairman Of the miners scale
committee, Mad protested this feature
Of the award, he said.
Anthracite mine workers will re-
ceive about $18,00O,0O0 III back pay
under The retroactive feature OF the
award, which makes it effective April
/. 1920, and the total increase award
ed to the 175,O00 miners Will average,
the commission said eat least $S0,OOO,-
600" annually.
The majority report declared that
the award "OferS no jurisdiction Tor
any advance in the retail prices OF
coal, but on the other hand, is con-
sistent with a decline in prices Any
sharp advance in retail prices, the re-
port added rcOuld not be charged to
the operators, the miners or the
award"
"While the adjudication of any dis
pute necessarily results in some disap-
pointment," the president said in his
letter to the commission. Il am sure
that the spirit with which you have
acted will receive the commendation
of the great bulk of the American
people"
Refused Closed Shop Demand.
The decision refused the United Mine
Workers demand for a closed shop
and the installation of "check-off
system.'' 1t also referred part Of the
mems demands for the establishment
of uniform wage scales for various Oc-
cupatiOns to the existing board of con-
citation for Industrial disputes in the
industry.
The commissions summary of the
award shows that the workers de-
mand for a two-year contract was sus-
tanned; that the demand that individ-
ual contracts and agreements be pro
hibited was denied, the commission d1"
recting that the board of Cancellation
in reviewing complaints under such
contracts act to protect the rights of
all employees in the affected colliery ;
the demand that wages of the COM
pany shovel crews be equalfzed with
those of contractors crews was de-
MED; the eight-hour day demand for
inside and outside day labor was re-
ferred to the board of conciliation to
work out shifts and rates, retroactive
payment on that basis when arrived
at being ordered.
The commission denied the demand
for time and a half for overtime and
double time for Sundays and holidays.
The minority report, submitted by
Commissioner Ferry, declared in favor
of standardization of rates of pay for
the same work throughout the field /;
the same increases as were granted to
the bituminOus workers, involving in
crease to SO per day to adult workers
receiving less than $5, increase of 81
per day to all now receiving $5 or
over, increase Of 53 cents per day for
boys and 81 per cent increase in all
contract rates.
The right to a living wage, the right
to collective bargaining and the right
to an eight-hour day were set forth as
fundamental rights claimed by the
mine workers..
Ask Coal Order Modification.
Modification of the emergency order
directing railroads to give preference
and priority to the Northwestern
states in the movement of coal was
sought from the interstate commerce
commission by the chambers of com
merce of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.
Officials of the commission said
modification of the order might result
in cancellation of all such emergency
orders now in effect, as precedent
would be established in favor of other
communities seeking similar treat
ment.
Representatives of coal-consumine
interests of North Carolina asked the
commission to allow some Of the coal
en- route to New England to be divert.
nd t0 thoir state