New Britain herald., 1923-08-30
PINCHOT'S PLAN

A In CONSTRUCTING the louT puilllo "
Governor Pinchot's plan for settle
ment of the coal matter it must bt
remembered that he can not be easy
in his own mind about the conditions
in his own state as to the nom observ-
ance of the laws of that state. 1t is
not necessary or wise to go into thai
matter in considering his plan as
made public now. 1t is necessary only
to remember that he has troubles OF
his own in his own state and he must
know that things are constantly being
done there contrary to the supposed
intention of the law. -.r .I
Governor Pinchot proposes recogni-
ton of the S-hour day and payment
I for overtime If overtime work is nee
essary. As a broad general principle
the justice of this proposition is ac-
knowledged by all, as, generally, the
right to collective bargaining, his
fourth point, is acknowledged.
Full recognition of the union with
out the check-off, but with the right
to have union representative present
when the men are paid, which is the
third recommendation, would seem to
f3be way out of the difficulty of the
check off demand il the operators
would ever agree to 1t. Certainly it
represents the spirit of give and take
by both sides to the controversial
no controversy was ever settled
without that element entering into it.
There can be no question of what the
unions have done for the miners and
for workingmer1 in other activities.
Labor certainly has a right to organ
ize, and such organizations should be
recognized as long as radicalism or
complete selfishness does not dominate
them. The Governor leaves out Of con-
sideration discussion of the closed
shop, and 50 states.
The second recommendation is a
splitting of the difference" in the
matter of pay. The miners have asked
20 per cent increase. The Governor
] recommends a universal increase of
10 per cent to all employees. This
Recommendation is admittedly tenn
porary makeshift for it is stated in
! the proposed plan the whole body
of wage rates in the anthracite field
is antiquated, haphazard and honey
combed with inequality. 1t needs re-
vision. / suggest that the anthracite
Cancellation board be authorized by the
Joint wage scale committees to UNI
dertake and complete within year a
thorough revision The proposed
increase of 10 per cent is recommend !
din view of the high degre of i
skill required among the miners and
the extra hazardous nature of the &C.
cupation."
The closing statements of the pro-
posal call attention to the situation as
emphasized in these columns They
bring the force Of public opinion to
bear upon operators and miners alike.
They appeal to the business judgment
of men, operators and miners. engaged
in business which is a public neces-
sity and one which should seek the
public's good will to keep that business
prosperous. This is the strongest
argument Of the plan, If sound bust
ness sense prevails over stubbornness,
the proposed plan will form basis
of settlement. Those closing words are
emphasized:
Il call your attention also to
the evident fact that the poor will
suffer most if the strike goes on.
In time when public opinion is
more powerful than ever before,
you are in danger of establishing
in the public mind not only
bitter and lasting resentment, but
strong desire to requite you for
the sufferings a strike would
bring upon the people. The public
will utterly fail to see either rca-
son, justice or good citizenship in ;
continued fighting against this
proposed settlement, OF over such
minor differences as this proposed
settlement leaves open"