The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-06-03

year except Sundays at $3.50 per
day he would have no cause for
complaint. But the fact is that the
mines are shut down good part Of
the time, because they work inter-
5mitently, and the union. mines in
series of years have not averaged
over 200 days, while the non-union
mines seek to Justify their lower
wage by claiming that they work
close to 800 days, which would pro-
duce practically the same result.
The real difficulty, however, lies
in the fact that the number Of days
refers to the number Of days that
the mine is open, and not necessar-
lily to the number of days each
miner is empliyed. Furthermore the
operators, even were they willing to
do so, obviously cannot guarantee
to the miners any specified number
Of days work.
"In close connection with this
question is the disputed checking
system, The unions demand that the
operators deduct the union dues of
each miner from his monthly wages
and pay it over to the union. The
operators, with considerable logic,
contend that there should be no OBJ
legation upon them to do the unions
bookkeeping and to supply them
with the sinews of war in the event
Of a strike. But the operators have
themselves esta blished checking
system under which they deduct
from the miners wages their state,
county and. road taxes, the rent of
the shacks. etc. The miners have
offered to withdraw their demand
that the operators check out heir
union dues. provided the operators
will abolish the entire checking sys-
tenn, but the operators have so far
refused this offer.
AT the present time neither the
public nor the government knows
whether the industry is fairly CAPT.
talized. They do not know the ex-
act cost of mining and delivering
coal; they do not know what per-
centage of profit the coal industry
is yielding.
Suggested Remedies.
1T Is fair. to assume that the OPP
orators, by opening their books, can
either answer these questions or fur
nish the information from which
they may be answered: A commit
tee should be appointed by the gov
eminent and charged with the duty
Of searching investigation Of the
coal industry. It should be armed
with authority to compel the op-
orators to present their books and
records and should utilize the in
formation thus obtained to accom-
plish the following purposes:
r.. TO standardize the mines on
the basis Of their productive capac-
ity, and If necessary to order the
closing down Of all mines which by
reason of their natural limitations
fall below this standard;
20. To standardize the cost Of
living for mine workers and the liv-
ing conditions which must be sup
piled to them in order to surround
them with reasonabl comforts;
"3. To standardize basis Of ar
irving at the overhead costs Of pro-
ducing. the coal and delivering it at
the door of the consumer; recognize
ing that the standardized cost of
living for the miners must be the
first and irreducible item Of ex-
pense;
80. To translate this latter item
into a, national wage scale, taking in
to consideration the uncertainty OF
employment:
IS. To, ascertain and provide,
through federal legislation, for the
charging of a fair percentage Of
profit upon the actual cost price of
coal;
"6. To consider the recommend
ing Of proper legislation, including
if necessary seasonal grading of
the freight rates that will eliminate
the irregular weekly production,
avoid the consequent car shortage,
and establish. so far as possible,
continuity of employment"