Evening star., 1923-09-08
HARD COAL PACT
MAY COME TODAY
AS ISSUES FADE
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Continued from First Page.)
be placed before a convention of
miners delegates from the anthra-
cite region. The convention is yet to
be summoned.
Gov. Pinchots proposal that the
men be given a fiat increase OF 10 per
cent. that all but eight-hour day ar
rangements be abandoned, that the
union be recognized. that principles
of collective bargaining be accepted
in the industry, was accepted by the
miners scale committee on recon-
mendation of Mr.. Lewis.
Check-on Dropped.
The scale committee authorized its
officers to drop the demand for
check off" collection of dues. and
liekwise the demand for an increase
of more than 10 per cent for the
100, 900 day workers in the field.
Gov. Pinchot said that the progress
had been as good as could be ex-
pected and that both sides were
Showing a strong disposition to reach
conclusion"
Issues still unsettled between the
two groups cover the length OF time
for which the anticipated wage con-
tract may run, operators belns IN
favor of a single year; the demanos
of the union for weighing OF coal IN
stead of measuring il to determine
EARNINGS of contract miners, for the
revision of existing rate sheets ano
establishment of new ones 10 NIX
earnings of contract miners ano 1or
an increase in the pay of miners
demand for a 80 cent per hour mini
mum for all mechanics employed IN
mine operations and for double time
payment for overtime.
Upon some Of these matters tenta-
tive agreements were made az various
stages OF the recent negotiations put
others were still entirely open:
The operators group, which mas
been a unit in opposing any wage In
crease and has announced willing
ness to make one only at the sug-
gestion Of Gov. Pinchot. was nrm In
declaring last night unwillingness to
concede anything as to these points
that would add to the cost OF coal
production.
Gov. Pinchots announcement thas
the miners union representatives hao
agreed to take 10 per cent wage IN
crease and abandon their demand 1or
"check-off" collection OF union uues
came at the end OF or,er hers SESSION. nf
the operators policy committee ana
the union officials. The operators left
the capital without letting the aeH-
sion be known, but MT. Lewis aho @ she
together to tell what had taken place.
"It is with the keenest satisfaction
that ! tell you am authorized 10
announce that both miners ana oper
ators have now agreed upon the 1ouf
points of the basis of settlement
rendered them, as those points were
interpreted in the Supple
statements issued YESTERDAY Ine
AA og
paper men.
I'm making this announcement DE-
sira to call particular attention TO the
spirtt of fairness and temperance OH
with which my efforts to reach set
tlement have been met.
Sought to Protect Public.
Mr. Lewis followed him in a brief
"in acouiescing to the four basic
points Of Gov. Pinchots proposal. tne
representatives Of the mine workers
have been fully conscious Oh lne rdpnnsed pued
to fight to the finish with the anthracite
operators and had every reason 70 pc.
Ieve that the end Of such a contest
would have brought 1uinliment OIL eHei
major demands.
1--WE have, however, the natural de-
sire that goes with good cltlzensnlp 70
obviate the public embarrassment ana
discomfort and inevitable sunering
that would accompany conflict De-
tween forces of such magnitude.
Operntors Drop Demand.
"yya do not feel the wage increase
proposed Is sufficient to compensate
the mine workers for the particular
service they render in producing an
thracite under the adverse conditions
a 10 per cent Increase is suffisient to
enable them to meet their family needs
and other requirements We feel tnat
our action in this instance in voiun.
tarily agreeing to the public-spirfted
commendation of the American people
and insure for the mine workers
greater degree Of consideration for the
Ills rhe rne" acton ShoG Of ofe the mine workers
was made possible by the operators,
when they agreed to abandon their
demand for arbitration and their
further demand that the mine work.
ers forego asking consideration OF
the remaining demands not covered
by the four points. In the face or
this action, representatives Of the
mine workers are reluctant to con-
tinue suspension OF production IN the
industry, which would mean sunering
for the mine workers and their fam
lilies and prove tremendously dis
turbing to business and seriously
DANGEROUS to the American people.
Suspension Order Stands.
I'VE have Informed the governor OF
our Willingness to meet the operators
and negotiate terms OF agreement for
q new wage contract, which, when
ratified by the mine workers. will
mean prompt Termination Of the
pending suspension. Gov. Pinchot Ia
entitled to the praise of the American
people for the diligent and capable
manner in which he had devoted him
self to the solution of a tremendous
problem. The mine workers feel that
ali credit for the present happy termi.
nation Of this unfortunate situation ID
due to him." .,:
Nr Lewis added that the union
order for the suspension Of work still
stood ----.------ --s.----------------.