Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-14
COAL MINING
QUESTION UP
INU. SENATE
Senator Kenyon Has
Plan to Quiet
Disputes.
PROPOSES BOARD
Tri-Partite System Is
Provided for in
Measure.
PROPOSES BOARD

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-Control
Of the coal mining industry in the
United States by a tri-partite FEEDER
al board aud establishment of an in
dustrial code as a basis for the ad-
sustment Of disputes between oper-
ators and miners, were proposed in a
bill introduced today in the Senate
by Senator Kenyon (Rep.), Iowa.
Sponsors of the measure hope its
passage can be effected within few
weeks to prevent a Nationwide
mine strike in April.
The board proposed by Kenyon would
be known as the National Coal Mining
Board" and would have nine members,
the public, labor and employers being
represented equally.
The province Of the board would be,
to avert disruption Of operations in mine
fields through disputes between manage
ments and labor, to adjust such disputes,
and to stabilize production.
Basic principles, recently set forth by
Senator Kenyon in his speech on West
Virginia mining conditions, are embodied
in the bill and the board is enjoined to
make all decisions upon this basis.
They include, first, that coal is pub
lie necessity, and that IN its production
and distribution public interest is pre-
dominant. It is under this principle that
the board would be created.
Human standard should be the con-
straining influence In fixing wages and
working conditions for the mine work
ers," it is provided in the bill. Capital
IS also protected IN a clause recognizing
its rights to an adequate return"
The bill afirms the right Of labor to
organize without interference or discrim-
tnatfon, from operators or employers and
reasserts the right Of operators and min
ers to bargain collectively through rep
resentatives Of their own choosing.
RIGHTS OF
UNORGANIZED MINERS.
Unorganized miners are cited as hav-
ing the right to work embarrassed by
fellow workmen belonging to unions,
while union men are allowed to enter non
union fields for organization purposes,
If they do so IN an orderly manner
The right Of workers to earn a living and
the right of women on an equal pay
basis with men also Is reaffirmed.
Senator Kenyon also provides that chill
dren under 16 years old shall be pro-
hibited from mine employment The work
week is set at six days Of eight hours
each. Punitive overtime is ordered paid
FOR all hours in excess, Of the standard
day.
WORK SHOULD GO ON
DURING DISPUTE.
at shall be the duty OF both operators
and employees to exert every reasonable
effort and adopt every available means to
avoid interruption Of operation Of any
coal mine during disputes" the bill
provides. "Au disputes shall be con-
eidered and decided, if possible, in con-
ference between representatives authorlzd
to so confer by the employers and en-
ployes directly concerned. ANY dispute
not decided In such conference shall be
referred to the labor board"
Members of the board, the bill provides,
shall each receive $4,000 a year. Three
viii represent operators. three labor and
three the public. All would be appointed
by the President, subject to confirmation
by the Senate.
Regulations for governing hearings
would be similar to those affecting the
United States railway labor board. A
fund of 100000 is asked to establish
the board