The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-10
SHORT DAY |S PROMISED IN .COAL. INDUSTRY
Anthracite Mine Workers Of
 Pennsylvania Refuse To En-
 ter Understanding That No
 Strike Shall Be Declared 8-HOUR ANNOUNCEMENT LIKE STEEL AGREEMENT Union Heads Attack Report Of Fuel Commission, DeCIar-
 ing It Was Written By At- torney General Daugherty

ATLANTIC CITY, N. J.. July g. The anthracite mine workers of Pennsylyania today refused to enter into an immediate understandings with the coal operators that the pro duction of coal shall continue unin- terruptedly after August 31, in the event a new contract shall not have been negotiated by that time with the understanding that the agreement subsequently, arrived at shall be ret roacttve 10 September 1. The miners contended that there is ample time to work out an agreement if each side diligently aplies itseld to the task.
 The coal operators paralleled the announcement of the United States Steel corporation that they would make every effort to eliminate the 12-hour day "as soon as practicable and as far a practicable" This was one of the demands of the miners. Praise Present Wages.
 While the operators did not spe- officially refuse the demand for wage increase for contract miners and men employed by the day, they declared that the present compensa- tion of the men was commensurate with the value of the service rem dered and that they were proud of the present wages because they were the highest ever paid the men in the anthracite industry.
 The coal companies granted with out argument the demand that when the anthracite board of colciltation is deadlocked over a grievance and it has been submitted to the. umpire, 8 decision must be rendered In 30 days.
 All the demands at issue were re- ferred by the full committee to subcommittee of four on each side which will imediately set about working on a new wage contract to replace the present one. In the mean time the full committe9 will remalh in recess until called together.
 Another matter brought up at the joint meeting was the published statement that the report Of the United States coal commission, made public today, was practically written bv United States Attorney General Daugherty so as to make it in accord with the labor policy of the Harding administration. The statement was alleged to have been made by George H. Cushing, publisher of bulletin circulated in the coal trade
 Recite Charges.
 The subject was officially brought before the meeting by the mine workers in a statement which re- cited the details of the Cushing as- sertion.
 The statement said that "in view of the publicity given these astound- ing charges, an investigation must be made and the facts ascer- tainsd if the distinguished members of the United States coal comm ssloA are to retain the confidence and re- spect of the American people. Such loss of confidence in the coal com mission would be profoundly un- fortunate and render their labor for naught.'
 The statement was offered in the form of a resolution by Thomas Ken nedy, Hazleton. Pa, president or DIS trict No. l, of the miners unloh' Who moved it's adoption.
 Samuel D. Warriner. Philadelphla; president of the Lehtgh Coal ana Navigation company, and chlei spokesman of the operators, opposed 1t on the ground that the joint con ference was not concerned with the charges. He said that two members of the commission had denied the as sfrtions and for the joint conference tn ask an investigation would by I'm nlication impugn the integrity or the members of the commission' lie pc lieved the commissioners were thor ouehly capable of taking care or themselves.