Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-07
COAL MINERS
Continued from Pane One


agreed upon definitions for the vari-
Gus terms. The governors original
settlement proposal, he pointed out,
had involved granting of the eight
hour day, full recognition of the
union by the operators, a uniform
increse of ten per cent for all en-
ployes, and the recognition of COL
lective bargaining in the industry.
1t had been agreed that in establish
ing the eight hour day that men
whose working hours had been re-
duced would be given increases
| identical to those agreed upon for
maintenance men who are being kept
at work during the suspension of
mining. 1t was further agreed, his
statement continued, that the an
thracitc Cancellation board should
make a study of wage rates, and
recommend adjustment to the next
joint conference between the union
leaders and the operators commit
tee.
There was likewise an understand
ing upon how collective Bargaining
methods were to be applied to min
ing operations.
1.-The operators authorize me to
say for them that they are in &C
COlu Will liC lOuL pOllLio III JUS
interpreted and care prepared to &C
cept them" Governor Pinchot con-
tinued. I'm authorizing this state
ment. the operators desire to have
it understood that they do so on con-
dition that the terms as to the open
and closed shop laid down in the
Roosevelt award shall run with any
new contract to be based upon the
four points.
THE miners authorize me to say
that they are in accord with and
prepared to accept certain of the
four points as interpreted above, but
that they are not yet prepared to
give up their demand for the check
off. or for an additional increase of
pay to day men in excess of ten
per cent In authorizing me to ex-
press their acceptance of the pro-
vision respecting collective bargain
inz as interpreted above, the miners
desire to have it understood that
they do so on condition that the
words such as opening a new seam
of coal shall not be construed as
excluding pillar stock.
AT my suggestion the miners will
take further time to consider this
matter and both sides will return for
further conference at ) L. NJ, to-
morrow"
The operators group were in
dicated to have accepted completely
the governors settlement proposal.
having withdrawn the rroviso that
the wage increase be hinged upon
an agreement by the union to sub
nit the question of it's modification
to arbitration after one year. The
union stand was practically I'M
changed, since Mr.. Lewis and his
associates have sought increases es-
tlmated to range from 20 to 80 cents
per day for the 100000 workers en-
ployed on q day basis in the anthra-
cite operations. The governors ten
per cent increase suggestion would
give these men from AZ to 60 cents.
The. union has likewise tentatively
rendered an agreement to withdraw
the application of the "checkoff'
which is system by which en-
ployers would be required to hold out
of pay checks and turn over to local
unions the amount of dues assessed
against each member. 1t has fur
Their tentatively agreed to accept the
ten per cent increase for the $4,000
or more contract miners.
There are pending a total of II
separate demands by the union, only
three or four of which are covered
in the governors settlement propo-
sails. which might possibly be raised
again in negotiations, though some
OF them are regarded as of second
airy Importance. These were not
taken up in any of the executive con-
ferenceS prior to tonight's partial
agreement. Governor Pinchot indi-
Gated a belief that they could lie
handled without difficulty.
Sections of the Roosevelt wage
commission award referred to in
Governor Pinchot's statement were
intended to guarantee the right of
non members OF the union to work in
anthracite operations.
Some of Governor PinchotS ad-
visors were hopeful that the union
demands would be cut down before
its officers came back to conference.
Whether Governor Pinchot was pre-
pared to go further, provided the dis
agreement persisted after tomorrow,
was not indicated.