The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-20
EDITH UNION MEN
 AND MINE OWNE ERS
 REJECT WAGE PLAN
PEopoSai toStandardize Pay to Workers Declared Imprac- [ tiCable-Anthracite h.
 dustry Separate
By Associated Press

Washington, November l9.-An- thracite mine operators sent to the federal coal commission today re- sponses to the preliminary question naire which that body sent out in beginning it's work ot ascertaining facts as to the coal industry. while at the same time q committee of the United Mine Workers representing employees in both bitumineus and an thracite regions made public the unions conclusions upon some of the same points.
 on one important point, arising from the commissions request for views as to the possibilities of stand ardizing mine wages and units of output from workers both communi- cations agreed in rejecting the pro- posals as impracticable. They were also in substantial agreement In treating second proposal of the commission regarding the possibility of closing down high cost mines in order to maintain production from more economical mines. The anthra- cite employers declared the general scarcity of anthracite required con- tinuation of operations in every mine which could afford output. while the miners said normal competition could
 
 ject, and to close down the more ex- pensive operations.
 Considered Separately
 The operators letters eontended that the anthracite industry should be considered as separate and au- tonomous from the bituminous in- dustry to prevent 1t from becoming as 1t has in the past the victim of labor disputes with which 1t Is in no way concerned"
 Signed by S D. Warriner, president of the Lehish Coal and Navigation company, and five other employers. it reserved answers on q number of queries propounded by the commis- sion to give more study to them, but dealt specifically with labor situa- tions as of most immediate impor- tance.
 "Nye are uneonvinced of the wis dom on practieability of attempting to standardize the cost of living for individutl workers" or of stand ardizing tn amount of work they are to perform. for sueh Standardization would necessarily Ignore individual abilities and requirements. Human beings cannot be standardized.
 Claims Wages Higher
 Neither the wages of mine work CTS or of another group of workers can be considered. At the present time mine workers are receiving scale of wages far above that paid in other industries with the result that the workers in these other industries are paying tribute to the mine work CTS. Continuation of such a condition cannot fail to have disastrous results upon the anthracite industry and therefore upon those employed in 1t.
 "The labor problem of the anthra- cite industry is one of the most inn portant to be considered and espe- ciaHy so by reason of the serious loss and inconveniences to the public which have been caused by the cessa- tion of mining during five months of the present year For 20 years prior to 1922, the producers of anthracite have dealt upon an established basis with their employees and the organi- cations representing them, through the medium of conference and agree ment.
 We suggest that the commission should ascertain the labor policy of the operators and likewise ascertain the labor policy of the United Mine Workers with respect to the anthra- ciate industry, including their funda- mental aims, the methods pursued by them and the extent. If any, to which the policy of either Is detrimental to the industry and therefore to the in- terest of the public.