Evening star., 1922-01-27
kenyon ADVOCATES;
TR|bUNALANDC0DE| |
FOR COAL INDUSTRY
Senator, as Head Of Inquiry,
Makes Individual Report on
I Minqo Conflict.

statutory code of industrial law en-
forced only by power Of public opin-
ion was recommended In a report
presented to the Senate today by
Chairman Kenyon of the labor COM
mittee, which recently Investigated
disorders in the West Virginia-ken-
lucky coal fields.
The report held that both the coal
operators and miners were respon-
sible for the recent fatal conflicts and
property destruction in West Vlr-
ginia, and said mutual concessions
by the coal operators and United Mine
Workers would have to be made to
end the conflict.
1.-THE issue is perfectly plain" said
Senator kenyon's report. THE oper.
West Virginia openly an
nounce that they will not
employ men belonging to the unions,
and further. that they have
the right and will exercise 1t. II they
desire. to discharge a man if he be-
other hand, the United Mine Workers
are determined to unionize these
fields, which are practically the only
large and important coal fields in
the United States not unionized."
His Personal Suggestion.
The proposal for a federal coal tri-
bunal and code of laws applying
both to operators and miners was
his personal suggestion. Senator Ken
yon said. Other members of the in
vestigating committee did not sign
the report, and are at liberty to sub
init individual reports.
The proposed government coal
board would be organized, under
Senator KenyonS suggestion, like
the Railway Labor Board, with three
representatives each of the employees,
the employers and the public, ap-
pointed by the President The in
dustrial code would be enacted by
Congress and its principle interpreted
by the board.
Senator Kenyon announced that
later he would introduce a bill COW
"code," which follows:
Il. Coal is a public utility. and in
its production and distribution the
public interest Is predominant
'.2. Human standards should be the
constraining influence in fixing the
"a. Capital prudently and honestly
invested in the coal industry should
have an adequate return, sufficient
duction of this essential commodity.
81. The right of operators and
miners to organize is recognized and
affirmed. This right shall not be de-
MED, abridged or interfered with In
any manner whatsoever, nor shall
coercive measures of any kind be
used by employers or employees. or
by their agents or representatives, to
compel or to induce employers or
employees to exercise or to refrain
from exercising this right.
Collective Bargaining Right.
IS. The right of operators and
Of miners to bargain collectively
through representatives Of their own
choosing is recognized and affirmed.
"6. The miners who are not men,
bers of a union have the right to
work without being harassed by, fel-
low workmen who may belong to
unions. The men who belong to
union have the right to work with
out being harassed by operators who
do not believe in unionism. The or
ganiZationS have a right to go into
non-union fields and by peaceable
methods try to persuade men to join
the unions, but they have no right
to try and induce employees to vio-
late contracts which they have en-
tered into with their employers. and
the operators. on the other hand,
to try and persuade men to refrain
from Joining the unions.
81. The right of all unskilled or
common laborers to earn an adequate
living wage sufficient to maintain
the worker and his family in health
and reasonable comfort, and to af-
ford an opportunity for savings
against unemployment, old age and
other contingencies is hereby de-
clared and affirmed. Above this basic
wage for unskilled workers, differen-
tials in rates of pay for other mine
workers shall be established for skill,
experience. hazards of employment
and productive efficiency.
'S. The right of women to engage
in Industrial occupations is recog-
nized and affirmed; their rates of pay
shall be the same as those of male
workers for the same or equivalent
service performed: they shall be ac-
corded all the rights and guarantees
granted to male workers and the con-
ditions of their employment shall
surround them with every safeguard
of their health and strength, and
guarantee them the full measure of
protection which is the debt of
society to mothers and to potential
mothers. Few women are engaged in
any way in mining, but it may be as
we'll to announce this proposition as
to pass it by.
"9 Children under the age of six
teen shall not be employed in the in
dustry unless permits have been is
sued under state authority
10. Six days shall be the standard
work week i'll the industry, with one
days rest in seven. The standard
work shall not exceed eight hours a
day.
I'll Punitive overtime shall be paid
for hours worked each day in excess
of the standard workday.
az. When a dispute or controversy
arises between operators and mine
workers there should be no strike
or lockout. pending n conference or
q hearing and determination of the
facts and principles involved"
Senator Kenyon said his plan offered
q solution for the coal industry's
problems, which bid fair to con-
front us more acutely before an
other season shall pass"
Condemns Industrial Court.
The Kansas Industrial court idea,
Involving compulsory arbitration. he
said. had been proved futile. The
Kansas court, he added, cannot be a
success because it has no underlying
code of rules or principles"