The Topeka state journal., 1922-01-27
ASKS CUAL CUURI
Senator Kenyon Presents His
Report on w. Va. Disorders.
Declares Both Miners and En-.
pIOyers Are Responsible.
SAYS KANSAS COURT FUTILE
Idea All Right But Tribunal
Has No Code.
Declares Third Party ''The Pub
lie" Needs Protection.


ment tribunal for regulation of the
coal industry under a statutory code
of industrial law enforced only by
power of public opinion was recon-
mended in a report presented to the
senate today by Chairman Kenyon of
the labor committee which recently in
vestigated disorders in the West Vir-
ginia- Kentucky coal fields.
The report held that both coal opec
( ators and miners were responsible for
the recent fatal conflicts and property
destruction in West Virginia and said
| mutual concessions by the coal oper-
ators and U. NJ. W. A. would have to
be made to end the conflict.
Declares Issues Are Plain.
''The issue is perfectly plain" says
ators in this particular section of
West Virginia, openly announce that
they will -iot employ men belonging
to the unions. And further, that they
have the right, and will exercise it f
they desire, to discharge a man if ,he
belongs to the union On the 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."
The proposal for a federal coal tri-
bunal and ode of laws applying both
to operators and miners was his per
sonal suggestion Senator Kenyon said.
Other members of the investigating
committee did not sign the report and
are at liberty to submit individual re-
ports. The proposed government coal
board would be organized under Sen
ator Kenyon suggestion, like the rail-
way labor board, with three represen-
tatives each of the employees, the eIn-
plOyerS and the public appointed by
the president. The industrial code
would be enacted by congress and its
principles interpreted by the board.
Will Introduce Bill.
Senator KENYON announced that
later he would introduce a bill cover
ing his plan for the coal board and
code which follows:
Goal is a public utility and in its
production and distribution the public
interest is predominant.
Human standards should be the
constraining influence in fixing the
wages and working conditions of mine
workers.
3-Capital prudently and honestly
invested in the coal industry should
have an adequate return sufficient to
stimulate and accelerate the produc-
ton of this essential commodity.
4-The right of operators and min
ers to organize is recognized and af-
firmed This right shall not be denied,
/ abridged or interfered with in any
manner whatsoever, nor shall coerctve
measures of any kind be used by en-
ployers or employees to exercise or to
refrain from exercising this right.
5-The right of operators and of
miners to bargain collectively thru
representatives of their own choosing
/ is recognized and affirmed.
Have Right To Work.
6-The miners who are members of
a union have the right to work with
n hU
who may belong to unions. The men
belonging to a union have the right to
work without being harassed by op-
orators who do not believe in untonism.
The organizations have 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 violate
contra cts which they have entered into
with their employers, and the oper-
ators. on the other hand, have the
right by peaceable means to try and
persuade men to refrain from joining
the unions.
THE right of all unskilled or COM
living wage sufficient to maintain the
worker and his family in health and
| reasonable comfort, and to AFFORD an
opportunity for savings against une!n-
! Dloyment, old age and other cont1n-
gencies is hereby declared and AT
unskilled workers, dfferentials In
rates of pay for other mine workers
shall be established for skill, expert
ence hazards of employment and pro-
/ ductive efficiency.
| S-The right of women to engage
| in Industrial occupation is recognized
! and affirmed; their rates or pay shaH
! he the same as those of male workers
/ for the same or equivalent service
/ DerfOrmed: they shall be accorded all
! ~ r1f o ntp0
male workers and the conditions or
: their employment shall surround them
with every safeguard of their health
and strength and guarantee them the
4 full measure of protection Whicn Is
the debt of society TO mothers and to
potential mothers. Few women are
4 engaged in any way in mining but It
may be as W al to announce this prop
osition as to pass it by
! 9@Children under the age of Is
years shall not be employed in the
/ industry unless permits have been is
sued under state authority.
Six Day Week Standard.
( 1O-Six days shall be the standard
work week in the industry with one
I days rest in seven The standard
work day shall not exceed eight hours
a day.
! 11-Punitive overtime shall be paid
for hours worked each day in excess
/ of the standard work day.
12-When a controversy or dispute
! arises between operators and mine
/ workers there should be no strike or
! lockout pending a conference or a
1 hearing an, determination of the
facts and principles involved.
! Senator Kenyon said his plan Of
fered a solution for the coal industries
| which bids fair to confront US more
acuteIy before another season shall
! pass"
Kansas Idea Futile.
The Kansas industrial court idea.
involving compulsory arbitration he
said. had been proved futile. The
Confiued on PAGE Five /