Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-05-05
Industrial Code for Coal Industry
BY Frederic J. Haskin


wn.h,n ston, May s.--An Industrial
code to govern all relations between
coal operators and miners. and all sd-
iustnents of those relations, may be |
I the basis OF the settlement OF tho con-
troyersy that has threatened the fuel /
nipply OF the country since April 1.
supply OF ne country since April 4.
Such code is the distinctive feature
OF the Kenyon bill, now pending In the
Senate. which WAS the last contribn-
ton of the former Senator from Iowa
toward tho solution Of strike prob
llems.
! Senator Kenyon ineroduced this bin
lin February. shortly after the commit
tee Of which he was chairman Ind
concluded It's investigation OF the West
Virginia coal troubles. Senator Borah,
of Idaho succeeded the Iowan as the
head Of the committee that considers
labor legislation, and II is understood
that President Harding is favorably dis
ION the Kenyon bill. or on some similar
mea asure. which will enbody its es-
sential provisions. n is also stated
that predent Harding is favorably dis
, posed toward the bill, but OF course
no one Is authorized TO speak for the
White House In such matters and as
yet the President has gone no further
than to express his approval Of tho
. general Industrial code idea in one Of
4, his messages TO Congress.
The idea back Of the proposed code
ls that there are certain fundamental
principles or rights which should be
the bases of all agreements between
= the operators and miners as to wages
land working conditions and also gov
lern all settlements Of disputes In the
p lcJal industry which cannot be adjusted
l. by agreement between the parties di-
& irsctly in interest At the same time. IL
lis argued, these basic principles, II
X applied, will safeguard the interests OF
). the public which is indirectly but vi
,, tally concerned IN every clash between
l. the mine workers and tho operators.
<. In fact. code Of this character may
=. he looked upon as a bill Of rights for
i. those who participate directly in the
W coal industry and for the public which
the industry serves. The rights which
Il &c defines may be likened To the con
stitutional guarantees OF freedom OF
person. freedom Of speech. freedom oi
assembly, ct cetera-
precedent IN hatuoad LAW
Precedent for establishing such p
- code in the coal industry Is found ir
C. the Transportation act Of 1920. under
os which the railroads were returned q
I'd private operation. The labor provi
TO sions Of that act, after creating thu
~ Railroad Labor Board and defining 81
vs powers and duties. laid down certain
V3 rules or principles which should b.
=" taken into consideration by the boar,
in fixing wages for railroad employees
an THAT is TO say the board should fl
N. wages that were just and reasonabl
at and IN deciding what are Just an
on lrea sonable" wages should consider q
21 the scale of wages paid for sinila
M work in other Industries. ~ the rela
70 ton between wages and the cost g
, living 90 the hazards OF the wor
done. % the training and skill re
-, quired, (5) tho responsibility restin
- upon the workers, (6) the characte
- and regularity Of employment, an
' i(7) any inequalities resulting fror
previous wage adjustments.
ca In It's decision IN the Nations
On Agreements Case, the second big cor
ne troversy brought before it, the RAT
III toward the establishment OF n cod
- for the transportation industry. TT
az Board promulgated 16 cardinal prir
"a ciples which it decreed should
=" mandatory upon the negotiation
agreements between the workers ar
'1 the individual railroads and upon Il
'S adjustment Of the grievances arisir
under such agreements These primo
pies included among other things Il
obligation resting upon workers
,.e render faithful service, the right
employees to organize and to barga
collectively through such organizati
W, as they elected to form. the eight no
~, day. seniority rights. the classificati
Of the workers. and protection Of {
workers against being disciplined wit
80 out hearing.
-. The Kenyon proposal for the CT
"a. industry proceeds along similar lin
-. After providing for the creation Of
board to hear and adjust controversi
-. ii lays down the general principle tn
- 'all the decisions of the Labor Boa
q with respect to wages and work.
Pc conditions Of employees shall esta
, = lish rates OF wages and standards
working conditions which. in the Cpl
4. ion Of the Board. are just and reaso
able"
The bill then provides that in {
IN, termining the Justness and reasonab
-, ness of such wages or working con
and tions the board, IN addition 10 oti
ole relevant principles. standards. a
facts. shall take into considerati
,r,o and be guided by II fundamen
V principles. These basic principl
cti- which comprise what may be term
y,a the coal code. are as follows:
y. Eleven Fundamentals.
IA l. Coal is a public necessity, q
~ in it's production and distribution
public interest is predominant.
1. Human standards should be
II constraining influence in fixing
~ wages and working conditions
-, 80 mine workers.
80 3. Capital prudently and homes
-, invested in the coal industry sho
:. have an adequate return.
4. The right of operators and min
to organize is recognized and affirm
n This right shall not be denied, abri,
i ed. or interfered with IN any mani
whatsoever, nor shall coercivs m
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