Evening star., 1923-09-06
Whiting Down the Differences.

Definite progress toward agreement
In the anthracite dispute is evident
from the reports of the conferences
conducted by Gov. Pinchot with the
representatives of the miners and the
operators. On the basis of his -four
proposal plan of settlement the two
sides have approached closer to an
adjustment than heretofore AT pres
ent the case stands broadly thus: The
miners and operators are agreed to
an increase of 10 per cent for the
contract miners, but the union Of
fcials stand firmly for an increase for
the day-labor men, who number about
100000 out of the 155, 900 employed in
all in the hard coal field; the union is
willing to modify the check-off de-.
mand to limit the amount to be de-
Quoted by the companies from the pay
rolls for union dues, but the operators
are firmly opposed to any form of
cheCk-o off whatever; the operators are
tentatively willing to drop the demand
FOR arbitration, to establish the eight
hour day and to accept a one-year
contract, instead Of the two-year con-
tract which they asked.
The case really turns upon the day
tabor wage rate. The union asks for
Q minimum of $5, to lessen the differ
entail between the contract miners
income and that of the laborer. In
the anthracite practice the contract
miner, certified by the state as com
petent, takes as a rule two men into
the headings with him. He sets the
drills, knocks down" the coal and
leaves the lahorers to clean up after
him, which includes the loading of
the mine cars. The laborers have the
longer hours and the harder work but
less responsibility. and require less
training. The contract, or certified,
miner is usually through his days
task by noon. The present issue re-
lates to the gap between the com
pensation for these two classes of
workers. The IS day demanded for
the laborers is equal to about Is per
cent increase.
From the outset the check-off de-
Mand has been regarded as trading
material, as it has always heretofore
been. 1t may now prove to be the
means of effecting a final settlement
In this case. The day-laborer pay de-
mand may be granted on condition of
the withdrawal of the check-off de-
mand. Considering the original diff
ferences, those that remain are not
insuperable.
Today's conference may still fur
ther advance the case toward settle
ment, or it may develop further snags
in the course. Each side is anxious
to find basis Of agreement and like
wise hopes to maneuver the situation
so that in the event of a definite
break, causing the prolongation of the
strike. there will be some ground for
public sympathy. Neither will finally
yield without some concession and ex-
change of points.
The public welfare, which is the
paramount factor in this case. de.
mands that coal be mined. The con-
sumner does not particularly care
about the conditions of operation. He
knows that any addition to the cost
of mining will be passed on to him,
with interest. If, with the differ
ences between the two sides thus
whitfield down to a slender point, !
agreement cannot be effected, he will
declare "a plague on both your
houses" and himself demand drastic |
government action compelling the |
thinning of coal regardless of the So
called rights and the selfish interests
,of a very small number of people.