Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-03-27

tho operators and their employees as
representatives of the latter.
Although in existence MANY years
the system Of bargaining in the soft
coal fields is now being attacked in
, both criminal and civil proceedings
pending in the federal court here.
More than 200 operators, miners and
retailers arc charged in an Indictment
with conspiracy to violate the anti
trust laws by combining to restrain
trade. and force unfair prices upon
the consuming public. Action in the
case is at a Standstill awaiting re-
moval of nonresident operators who
are among the defendants.
The civil suit, brought by the
Border land Coal Corporation. operat-
ing in the MinGo CIV. Na) field,
makes similar charges as the crimi-
nal case, asserting there is a con-
spiracy aimed to shut off the compc-
titiOn from the non union West Nir-
ginil folds. The Bordcrland COM
rany scored n partial victory recent
ly in obtaining n preliminary injunc-
ton designed to stop violence about
the company's mines.
Both the governments indictment
end tho ROrdcrland cOmpanys suit
charge the alleged conspiracy was
entered into in 1898 when tho inter
state movement was revived, with the
union getting wage advances FIR the
workers and obtaining the estab-
lishment Of tho eight hour day in the
Central Competitive Field. In return
for these concessions by the opera
tors. il is charged the union agreed to
shut off the competition of non-union
coal. giving monopoly to the oper-
ators running closed union shop.
Both the union and tho operators
deny The charges. and have retained
imposing arrays of counsel to contest
tho cases.
Since 1912. all the wage agreements
of tho Central Competitive Field have
included this provision: That in
ternal difference he referred for ad-
Justment to the various districts af-
fcctcd, it being understood that MOTH
ing shall he done in district or sub
district convention that will increase
tho cost of production or reduce the
earning capacity of the men" This
provision is interpreted to bind op-
orators and miners to strict observ-
ancc of wage scales agreements, and
prevent any action by either that
might change the terms of employ
mont But strike comes when the op-
portunity for negotiations has
passed, and the threat of a big walk
out starting April l now hinges ap-
rarenty on whether tho operators
Tor the whole Central Connective
tl"ld agree to meet the miners.
Two unusual changes have bccn
made during the life of contracts A
voluntary reduction was taken by
inc miners In 1896 and two increases
."f wages camc in 1897 without a con-
'foNcrsN. The agreement covering
the year 1896 was mace with>tbe nm
derstanding that it must be observed
ny ali operators especially one bi-
company of the Pittsburgh district
IN july OF that year. operators insist
ca 'hat the big company he made TO
respect tho scale and the unions fail
ure TO induce the company ia do so
was followed by the miners of tho
fit'shurgh district being called into
convention. BY resolution the con-
Neh'lon declared all operators should
nc treated alike and it reduced the
price cents ton to meet the ware
pald by the one big company.
~ 1917 tho Central Competitive
ficid scale had been in effect since
April J, 1915 and was TO continue nm
" Apfli J. 1918. Union officials COM
Pialned that conditions growing o,t
OF the world war made Increased
wages necessary. and the operators
granted an advance of 10 cents a ton
!,d'er similar advance was obtained.
me operators conceding it when the