New Britain herald., 1922-01-27
Would Have Regulations Enforced Only by Power of Public Opinion-Min- CTS and Operators Both Blamed.

Washington, Jan, 97.--A govern ment tribunal for reeulation of the coa industry under q statutory code of industrial law enforced only by power of public opinion was recom- mended m report presented 10 the senate today by Chairman Kenyon of the labor committee which recently investigated disorder in the West Nir- ginia Kentucky coal fields.
 Both Sides at Fault The report .held that both the coal operators and miners were rcsponsi- be for the recent fatal conflicts and property destruction in West Virginia and said mutual concessions by the coal operators and United Mine Work CTS would have to be made to end the conflict,
 ''The issue is perfectly plain,' said Senator kenyon's reports "The opera tors in this particular section of West Virginia, openly announce that they will not employ men belonging to the unions '''' and further that they have the right and will exercise it if they desire, to discharge man if he belongs to the union #Ft 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."
 Personal Suggestion
 The proposal for federal coal tribunal and code of laws applying both to operators and miners was his personal suggestion, Senator Kenyon said. Other members of the investi- gating committee did not sign the re- port and are at liberty to submit in- dividual reports
 The proposed government coal board would be organized, under the senator's suggestion like the railway labor board, with three representa- lives each of the employees, the em- ployers and the public appointed by the president The industrial code would be enacted by congress and it's 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:
 "1-Coal is a public utility, and in it's production and distribution the public interest is predominant.
 "2-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 tn of,1r emf iain fD stimulate and accelerate the produce tion of this essential commodity.
 "4-The right of operators and miners to organize is recognized and affirmed. This right shall not be de- ned, abridged or interfered with in any manner whatsoever, nor shall CO., ercive measures of any kind be used by employers or employees to exercise or to refrain from exercising this right
 '5-The right of operators and of miners to barbain collectively through representatives of their own choosing is recognized and affirmed.
 "6-The miners who are not mem- bers of a. union have the right to work without being harassed by fe- low workmen who may belong to unions. The men who belong to a union have the right to work without being harassed by operators who do not believe in unionism. The organi- Zations 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 violate con- tracts which they have entered into with their employers, and the opera tors on the other hand have the right by peaceable means to try and per suade men to refrain from joining the unions.
 "7-The right of all unskiled or common laborers to earn an ade- Quate living wage sufficient to main- tain the worker and his family in health and reasonable comfort, and to afford an opportunity for savings against unemployment, old age and other contingencies is hereby declared and affirmed. Above this basic wage for unskilled workers, differentials in rates of pay for other mine workers shall be established for skill, exper- fence, hazards of employment and productive efficiency.
 "S-The right of women to en- gage in industrial occupations is rec ognized and affirmed; their rates of pay shall be the same as those of male workers for the same or euuiv- alent service performed they shall be accorded all the rights and guar antees to male workers and the con- ditions Of their employment shall sur round them with every safeguard of their health and strength and guar antee them the full measure of pro- lection which is the debt of society to mothers and to potential moth- CTS. Few women are engaged in any way in mining, but it may be IS well to announce this proposition as to pass if by.
 9-Children under the age of 16 years shall not be employed in the industry unless permits have been issued under state authority.
 'lo-Six days shall be the stand ard work week in the industry with one days rest in seven. The standard work day shall not exceed eight hours q day.
 "11-Punitive overtime shall be paid for hours worked each day in excess of the standard workday. "12-When d dispute or contro versy arises between operators and mine workers there should be no strike or lockout pending confer cnce or a hearing and determination Of the facts and principles involvod."
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