Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-01-21
Miners DEMAND
20 PER Ct. RAISE
Agree to Quit Work April
u if no New Agreement
is Reached
So MINIMUM
is FAVORED

SHAMOKIN. Pa. Jan. 21.-The
tri-state convention OF the anthracite
mine workers yesterday adopted the
recommendation OF the scale COM
mittee demanding 20 per cent in
crease in wages for contract miners
and a one dollar a day increase for
all day men.
The convention had before Il last
night a recommendation providing
for a suspension OF mining on April
1. in the event that no satisfactory
agreement has been reached by that
date Leaders said there was every
prospect of its adoption.
The delegates also adopted a de-
mand that the proposed new agree
ment to take the place OF the pres
ent one which expires March 81.
shall not exceed a period OF two
years and that prohibits the making
OF individual agreements and con-
tracts in the mining OF coal.
The scale committee presented to
the convention 10 proposed demands
on the operators and three recon-
mendations to be carried out by the
scale committee. other demands
provide for uniform wage scale so
that various occupations OF like char
acter shall command the same wages
that the eight hour clause in the
present agreement shall be applied
to all persons working In and about
the mines coming under the juris-
dlction OF the mine workers union;
time and one half time for all over
time work and double time for Sun
day and holiday work; a standard
check-on system: dead work to be
paid for on a uniform considera-
ton basis; that where coal is paid
for by the car Il shall be changed
and payment made on the legal ton
basis and dockage eliminated; that
carpenters and other tradesmen be
paid the recognized standard rates
existing in the regions. which should
not be less than ninety cents an
hour; that in re-hiring men laid or
the seniority rule shall apply; tina
be brought under the agreement;
that powder be delivered to the
miners at their working places. and
that where men have been working
only six or seven days in collieries
where eight hours prevail. they have
their wages readjusted based on nor
NAL conditions.
The convention adopted a motion
that the demands be considered seri-
atm. The demand for a two years
contract provoked no discussion. but
that providing for increased wages
of 20 per cent took up much time
OF the convention. One delegate
wanted TO make the increase Ia pei
cent and pledge the union not e
deviate from IT, The move was no
favored.
George F. Evans. OF Olyphant
Pa. spoke long in support of mini
mum wage Of So a day for contract
consideration and company miners
OF $3.50 a day for contract. consid.
GRAFTON and company laborers and
not less than $3.50 a day for all Other
classes OF laborers His proposal
was finally ruled out OF order. be-
cause the convention had already
adopted the 20 per cent proposition
and would also conflict with other
demands in the list presented to the
convention.
The 20 per cent demand did moi
come as a surprise to the delegates.
for it had been said by leaders that
the anthracite miners favored such
an advance. An effort was made in
committee. II was said to limit the
: Increase to Is per cent, but that did
not meet with favor by the majority
OF the twenty-one members OF the
scale committee.
The accommodation that tn,
scale committee be instructed Z,
perfect arrangements" for a sus
pension Of mining on April in tn,
event an agreement Is not reached
by that time. came as a surpris
10 some OF the delegates Some ex
pected that this would be left to tn
international policies committe
which would not want its hand
tied in negotiating with the opera
tors.
The custom in previous negotis
tons was 10 keep the men at wor
while negotiations were progressin
favorably and make the agreemer
entered into retroactive. Under thi
plan the mine workers were alwa,
assured the old scale plus whatev,
Increase was given by the operator
In the present situation the mine
have no assurance from the ope
ators that the present scale will /
maintained. but on the other han
have made 1t known that they "
ask the miners to accept a redu
ton in wages.
In the discussion. a deiega
asked whether the Information
convention had the power TO modi
the demands OF the anthracite me
and President John L. Lewis repli
IL was safe TO assume that any G
preston by the anthracite m
would receive the endorsement
the International convention.
RURAL PROPERTY TRANSFER
Transfers OF rural New Cas-
county property have been record