The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-14
COAL COMMISSION MAKES SPECIFI IC RECOMME NDATION
Alleged DereIiCtions By Min CTS And Operators Are Con-
 demDed In Report

wAsHINGToN, Sept. 1S.-opera- ton of the national ~coal industry so as to insure a dependable supply F of fuel to the public, adequate wages to the miners and reason able return to the operators is pos- sible, the coal commission declared in a report submitted today to .. President Coolidge. Thirty seven specific recommendations were made with view of establishing the equitable interest of each party
 Alleged derelictions by both miners and operators were condemned by the commission, one recommendation being that the two groups join in the study of ways and means of stabilizing the industry to prevent unemployment and uneven produc- . ticn. The suggestion also was made that the operators perfect an or ganization among themselves as eff fe ctive as that of the miners, both as q defensive and Q cooperative raaasure."
 IEl corporation of the unions would not have the effect of binding the pnfon to its contracts" the commits sion declared. adding that apparent. ' ly neither side desires that wage . contracts shali be specific enough to be binding through Juridicai en- forcement." It recommended speclal compulsory investigation as soon as v fafIure to renew an agreement ap- v Apeared timminent, and inclusion If seeyery wage contract of 8 clause pro NNviding for automatic renewal eN- w cept respecting such provisions as ss may be denounced 90 days prior 10 N cxpira ton tof the old contract. ps omtstandfns Recommendations. = Other standing recommendations
 Tnat each side some check upon inc provocative and truculent pub lioity which tends to undermine good relations.
 Establishment in each district and nationally of joint commissions of onerators and miners to make studies of the principal jobs and or existing rate differentials, to de yelop an adequate basas Tor the needed revision or the ldle SUI ture. of its study into the industry gen crafty and into specific phases, such as unemployed and inequalities in rate structure and "continuous, com- n,.Isorv collection and publicity Of rates and rate changes in non-unloh fields"
 nnion fields of check weighmen Se- lected and paid by the men.
 Discontinuance throughout the ln- dpstry of ub-contracting.
 Abolition of convict leasing to op- "Serfous study by both sides" of the nroblern of undue limitation of output and of causes leading thereto.
 Disputes in union fields fields eonoernlhig ro111tig through conciliation or arbitration, with .adeuuate checks" enforced in non-union fields against unreason. ableness in exercise of the power oA discharge.
 Recognition of the unions right to enconrage new members through the example of service to its n1embrs ~ and by paceful and honest persuasion of every sort" with recog- nition of a. similar right by operators .by good works and honest per suasion" to maintain a nonsdnion status.
 violence Is Condemned.
 The report continued:
 eve condemn violence, thuggery and gun work, whether practiceds py inc union to enforce complete union- ization or by the operators to pre- vent it. We recommend that such de- structive labor policies as use of spies or deputy sheritfs, as paid company guards, house leases which prevent free access and exit, and individual contracts which are not rree-Wlll con- tracts be abolished"
 The commission recognized the ir- ritating effects of the check-oft 10 the operator" and it's injurious ef- feet upon the union" but declared it's belief that the unsettlins effects Of casting out this practice might more than overbalance the gains"
 We do not feel" the report said, "that the check-oft is vital enough ever to justify suspension or opera tion."
 Establishment of policy of com plete district autonomy in the neso- tiation of new agreement, the com mission said, would result in great turmoil and 8 renewal of the fierce competition between districts that must inevitably lower standards.
 2nd add Coal Commission. ..
 More training of mine officials in dealing with labor under union agreement was recommended and 8 policy in each company of centraliz- ed responsibility was commended. Closer contacy and greater educa- tionaI services between national, dis trict and local union officers ana men was needed, the report said. Facing Critical Psriod
 Declaring the union lis facing critical transition period' the com mission warned that the challenge confronting it is whether 1t can use greater power in & responsible way to serve social ends"
 We do not advocate nationaliza- ton as means of meeting the national strike or other parts of the labor relations" the commission said.
 The report opposed compulsory arbitration, because, there is no way to enforce a compulsory award which does not involve enforced operation or enforced labor"
 In connection with its recommen- dation for compulsory investigation of threatened suspensions, the com mission recommended the inquiry De made under the direction of the presi dent and that both sides should SUD init its case to him sixty days be- fore the existing agreement expired, where they were unable to arriv at an understanding. The president, the commission recommended, then should enquire into the factors st issue ana secure a report and award with the purpose of focusing upon the nego- tiators the irresistible moral pres- sure implicit in their joint obligations to furnish the public with coal"
 The commission said it did not be- lieve prohibitory measures were the best approach of a remedy for the