Evening star., 1922-03-26
sCOLLEC1TVE BARGALXzzV(I1''
FACES TEST IN BIG STRIKE
It's SurpiuaI Depends on Outcome Of Impend.
inc Coal War-Dates Back to Troubles
in 1885 and 1902

better mining laws. improved work.
ing conditions and continuity Of
labor supply.
The interstate movement. as it has
peen practiced In the past history of
,he soft-coal industry. consists of
the operators and miners each draft
ing set of demands. The miners
invariably asked wage increases and
the operators asked wage reductions
or changed working conditions, or
both. each side usually asking more
than either expected. The result of
and miners fixed wage rates and
working conditions for the so-called
central competitive field, composed
OF western Pennsylvania. Ohio. Illi-
noise and Indiana.
Based ON Central Rates.
For all other soft-coal states wages
are paSed on the central competitive
heid rates. Similarly the union an
thracite miners and operators-all in
!rrcn !rrcnnsyivania-negotiate agreements.
Inc miners union is not recognized
by the anthracite oper ators. except
that officials of the union have since
l9e3 appeared in joint meetings with
the operators and their employees as
representatives of the latter
Although in existence many years.
the system of bargaining in The soft
coal fields is row being attacked in
both criminal and civil proceedings
pending in the federal court here
More than 200 operators. miners and
retailers are charged in an indict-
ment with conspiracy to violate the
anti trust laws by combining to re-
strain trade and force unfair prices
upon the consuming public Action
IN the case is at standstill, await
ing removal of nonresident opera
tors who are among the defendants.
Same Charges in Civil Suit.
The civil suit. brought by the Bor-
derland Goal Corporation. operating
In the Mingo CIV. va.) field, makes
similar charges as the criminal case,
asserting ahere is a conspiracy aim
the non-union West Virginia fields.
The Borde-iand company scored a
partial victory recently in obtaining
a preliminary injunction designed to
stop violence about the company's
mines.
Eoth the governments Indictment
and the Eorderland company's suit
charge the alleged consriracy was
entered into in 1893. when the inter-
state movement was revived, with
the union getting wage advances for
the workers and obtaining the estab-
iishment OF the eight hour day in
the central competitive field. In re-
turn for these concessions by the op-
orators it is charged the union agreed
to shut OF the competition OF nom
union coal. giving a monopoly to the
operators running a closed union
shop. Both the union and the opera
tors deny the charges and have re-
tanned imposing arrays of counsel to
contest the cases.
Same Provision Included.
Since 1912 all the wage agreements
OF the central competitive field have
included this provision: That in
ternal difference be referred for ad-
justment to the various districts ar.
feated, it being understood that moth
ing shall be done in district or sub
district convention that will increase
the cost of production or reduce the
earning capacity Of the men"
This provision is interpreted 70
bind operators and miners to strict
observance Of wage scales agree
ments and prevent any action by
either that might change the terms
OF employment. But strike comes
when the opportunity for nesotia tons
has passed. and the threat Of a big
walkout starting April now hinges
apparently on whether the operators
for the whole central competitive
held agree to meet the miners.