The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-27
KENYQNFAVORS
LABOR COURT IN
". VA. Mine WAR
Industrial Autocraoy Prevails
In Logan County, Says Chair.
man of Quiz Board.


Sweeping recommendation affect
ing the bituminous coal industry are
contained In a report which, Senator
Kenyon, chairman of the subcommit-
tee which recently investigated labor
troubles in the West Virginia mining
fields submitted to the Senate to-
day.
A proposal for the creation Of an
industrial court which shall control
and adjudicate all labor disputes in
the coal industry in the same man.
ner that the Railroad Labor Board
handles wage controversies on the
transportation lines is the central
feature of the report.
Senator Kenyon thinks the time is
past when the public will submit to
further industrial warfare OF the kind
that has been witnessed in West Vir-
ginia, and that the Federal Govern
ment must take q hand In recognition
OF the fact that coal Is public
utility. and in it's production and dis
tribution the public interest Is pre-
dominant"
The Industrial board which he pro-
poses is not to possess powers of
compulsory arbitration, but will de-
pend upon the power Of public opinion
10 enforce It's findings. He makes his
| report only as a single member Of the
| subcommittee. the other members fail
ing to agree In his findings, and
promising TO submit their individual
views to the Senate at later date.
The following are salient features
Of the Kenyon report with respect TO
the Industrial court and the industrial
code upon which II will be based:
New Board Suggested.
For the carrying out Of the prin.
cipies hereinafter enunciated one OF
two methods can be adopted: The
board Of mediation and Cancellation
now existing could be enlarged and
given additional powers. or a new
board somewhat similar to the Rail
road Labor Board could be created,
] consisting. as has been suggested. OF
three representatives Of the employees.
three Of the employers, and three OF
the public, all of these members to be
appointed by the President OF the
! United States. The findings OF the
board to be published, ana enforced
by public opinion. Ne fines or penal
| ties to be provided.
1T recommend therefore that the
following principles In substance at
least should be sanctioned by the Con-
gress as the basis Of relations between
mine operators and mine workers:
1. Coal In 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
wages and working conditions Of
mine workers.
8. Capital prudently and honestly
| L.. - 10. tnd 9f
have an adequate return sufficient to
stimulate and accelerate the produc-
ton OF this essential commodity.
Rights Of An Parties.
| 4. The right Of operators and
affirmed. This right shall not be
denied, abridged. or interfered with
| in any manner whatsoever, nor shall
coervice measures Of any kind be
used by employers or employees. or
by their agents or representatives. to
compel or to induce employers or en-
ployes to exercise or to refrain from
exercising this right.
S. 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 q union have the right to
work without being harassed by fell
low workmen who may belong to
unions. The men who belong to q
union have tho right to wotk with
out being harassed by operators who
do not believe In unionism. The or
CARNATIONS hive a right to go into
non-union fields and by pcaceable
methods try to persuade men to Join
the unions, but they have no right
to try and induce employees to violate
contracts which they have entered
into with their employers, and the
operators on the other hand have
the right by pcsceable means to try
and. persuade men to refrain from
joining the unions.
Z. The right Ct all unskilled or
common laborers to earn an adequate
living wage sufficien. 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, differ
entails in rates of pay for other
mine workers shall be established for
skill, experience. hazards of employ.
ments. and productive efficiency.
8. 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 equiv.
alent service performed.
9. Children under the age of six
teen years shall not be employed
in the industry unless permits have
been issued under State authority.
TO- Six days shall be the standard
work week in the industry with one
days rest in seven. The standard
work day shall not exceed eight
hours a dsy. ~
II. Punitive overtime shall be paid
1T the standard workday.
After outlining the conditions