The Washington herald., 1922-01-21
LEADERS OF mine
and RAIL UNIONS
CALLCONFERENCE
Impending Fights Lend
Significance to Plan
For Meeting.

SHAMOKIN, Pa. Jan. ga joint
conference of representatives Of the
miners union and officials of all
the railroad brotherhoods and
unions Is planned to take place
within a week in a Western city. it
was learned today from reliable
sources.
The call for the meeting has al
ready been issued. IL has been
learned, and the railroad organi-
zations have returned favorable re-
from the miners.
In view of the approaching strug-
gle between railroad employees ana
the road owners, and the new wage
demands to be made by the miners,
coupled with the threat of a strike
on April 1 IL the demands are not
met, the action of the leaders OF
these two industrial groups is con-
sidered significant.
Eisht-Hour Day Asked
Among demands ratified today by
the miners scale committee, were
one for a dollar-a-day increase for
all day men; another for rejection
of the retroactive clause; complete
suspension of mining on April 1 IL
negotiations are not completed by
that time, and an eight-hour day
for all workers, with time and a
half for overtime and double pay
for Sunday work.
A demand for. an increase in
wages of 20 per cent was unani-
mously adopted by the convention.
This was one of three out of eigh-
teen recommendations presented IN
the report of the general scale COM
mittee.
The first recommendation which
was adopted demands that the next
contract be for a period not ex-
ceeding two years; that the making
of individual contracts shall be pre-
pared and that where mechanical
loading is done. committee ?and
company 6ficials shall have the au-
thority to establish proper rates.
The recommendation on wages also
provides for a flat increase of 81 per
day for all men employed by the
day.
stormy Debate Held.
The third recommendation which
part of the demands to be acted
upon at the Indianapolis convention
next month was that demanding a
uniform scale so that various occu-
pations of like character at the
several collieries shall command
the same scale.
After stormy debate during the
afternoon, the convention met again
In the evening in an effort to close
all business. Other recommenda-
tions OF the scale committee were:
The eight-hour day for all en-
ployes OF the mines, and providing
for the increases to all so affected.
The standard check-off system
under which the dues of the men
will be deducted from their pay by
the companies.
Uniform rates for dead" work.
Rate Set for Rock.
More liberal allowances for the
placing of properties and timber
and when the miners are prevented
from work because of lack of sup
plies they shall be accorded the op-
portunity of making a shift at some
other work at consideration prices.
The settlement OF grievances on a
uasis OF equity.
Uniform rate of II cents per lhca
for rock and refuse mining up to 10
| feet wide and proportionate rates
for more than 10 feet
That where coal is paid for by the
car II shall be changed and pay
ment made on the ton basis Of 2, 900
pounds. and that dockage for inn
pnrities shall be eliminated
The ennnlvinU of Ioolr ~,
and power to operate free of
charge.
More liberal clause for miners IN
abnormal mining conditions.
That carpenters and other trades
men be paid the recognized stand
ard rates, which should not be less
than 30 cents Ter hour.
That miners for stripping con-
tractors be brought under the
agreement.
Seniority rights in laying off or
rehiring men.
That powder be delivered into the
chambers.
Full eight-hour opportunity be
given employees at collieries which
have been working as a general
schedule on a six or seven-hour day
and that where eight-hour oppo--
tunity' is denied wages shall be re-
adjusted SO that an eight-hour
wage shall prevail, except in cases
of accidents.
That operations suspend on April
I, 1922, in the event that no satis-
factory agreement has been reached
as of that date.