The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-11-25
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! ''These are, some Of the human
factors that. enter into the subject
and that are vitality affected by the
cost Of living, and the ability of the
miner to e:rn a sufficient income to
meet this cost of living.
Standardizing Work.
I'VE do not believe tits possible
to standardize the amount Of work
a man can or should perform in the
production, vs coal. Conditions vary
in the various mines and workings.
Seams of coal differ in thickness. 1t
is easier to mine coal In some mines
than in others. Some mines expert
ence great difficulty with water, gas
and other conditions. And so it goes,
each mine being peculiar unto itself,
as far as working conditions are
concerned. Methods in use in one
mine would be impossible in many
other mines. Therefore, we do not
see how the work could be standard
lied.
Again, there is no need Of stand
ardization, as far as the actual miner
is concerned nor for its effect upon
the cost Of production because the
miner is paid by the ton for the coal
he produces and not by the day or
hour. Therefore, the amount of his
daily output is not important, inso-
far as it affects the cost per ton. It
is also true that the labor performed
by men who are paid by the day
varies greatly in different mines and
fields, and what might be regarded
as g. standard of work in one place
would be a fragrant misfit in, an
other mine. However, the commits
sion will find that the miners of this
country are earnestly interested in
everything that promises g. better
method for the performance of their
work, and anything that will pro-
mote their safety and security
Absentee Ownership.
The union officials have requested
the commission to investigate the
effect of absentee ownership of coal
mines on the prices of coal, the pub
lie and workers. I'VE believe the
coldblooded. commercialism involved
in absentee ownership upon the in
dustry and the public welfare can
be determined" says the statement
of the union officials.
1T is such a serious evil that if
it is uncovered it will lay bare a
factor that helps to keep the price
Of coal to the consumer at q higher
figure than would be the case Under
any other circumstances. The public
wishes to know why it is required
to pay outrageous prices for coal. We
suggest that a study of absentee
ownership will disclose one of the
causes of this gouge.
1.-The United Mine Workers Of
America is the trade union of the
coal miners of r this country. 1t has
a membership in the bituminous and
anthracite branches of the industry
of more than half million, scattered
over the entire coal producing area
of the country. We shall be pleased,
indeed, to supply the commission
with any and all information in re-
gard to the United Min, Workers Of
America that the commission may
call for. This organization has no
secrets and thing to withhold from
the commission. If you will indicate
at any time the information you de-
sire we assure you that it will be
supplied promptly and in full.
Go Alto Them All.
AT the same time, we urge upon
the commission that it also require
all other organizations and associa-
tons to lay themselves open to the
scrutiny Of this commission. No as
ISOLATION Of coal operators should
be permitted to withhold anything
from the commission, nor should
tho commission permit any refusal
on the part of any individual oper-
ator to supply full and complete in
formation as to his business.
1T will be recalled that when on
previous occasions, governmental
agencies attempted to investigate
certain phases of the coal business,
certain codl AAAnAne iApe@A1A~
rushed off to a court and obtained
injunctions preventing the govern
| ment from ascertaining tt desired
| information. We do not know what
these coal companies were SO anx-
! ious to hide md keep from the gov
eminent and the public, but, appar-
emily, they feared to have the light
Of publicity turned on their affairs
and conduct. We suggest that this
commission be constantly on the
lookout for any similar move on the
part of any coal operators IN the
present instance"
Mercury and Venus are the only
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