Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-10

AhaAiiSouIS' IA. sept. 9-(By A. P.)
Governor Pinchot of PENNSYLVANIA
tonight made public letter to Presi-
dent Coolidge suggesting that, with
an anthracite coal supply assured for
the coming winter. as result of the
agreement reached by representa-
yves or operators and miners here
last night, steps be taken to safe
guard the consumer against in
creased prices.
the governor proposed that the
interstate Commerce Commission in
vestigate coal transportation rates
with view to reducing them and an
nounced his own intention of asking
the pennsylvania Public Service
commission to go into freight rates
IN this state. He also told the presi-
dent he was preparing to invite the
governors of anthracite using states
10 go into the matter of margins and
profits of wholesalers, brokers', job
bers and retailers with him.
- The agreement reached last night
covered the terms of a proposed new
two year contract between opera tors
and union miners of the hard coal
field. based upon. the four points of
the settlement plan submitted by
Governor Pinchot to the operators
policy committee and miners union
officials here last week. These points
included ten percent increase in
wages, inauguration of the eight
hour day, recognition Of the union
without the checkoff and recognition
of the principles of collective bar
gaining. The agreement also cover
ed several other lesser points at is
sue.
In submitting his settlement plan
last week the governor told opera
tors and miners representatives the
ten percent increase. according to
figures available, would add 60 cents
a ton TO the cost of domestic sizes of
anthracite at the mines. OF this. he
said, not less than ten cents can be
and ought to be absorbed by the OPP
orators without any increase in
price" The remaining so cents, the
governor declared, should not in the
end be taken from the consumer"
and the whole of it. he asserted. could
easily and properly" be taken out of
the cost of transportation and distri-
button. In his letter to President
Coolidge the governor repeated his
earlier statement that ten cents
should be taken up by all the opera
|, tors and added that many could alb
crease and still make abundant
profits"
in most cases the so cents should
never reach the consumer" he said.
1T is certain this amount and prob
ably much more will be eXacted from
the consumer, however unless action
is taken to prevent it. Accordingly,
since you We're good enough TO indi-
cate that suggestions from me con-
corning anthracite would not be un-
welcome, / am writing to suggest
that real advantage to the public
would result if the Interstate Com
merce Commission would take up and
consider anew the rates charged for
the transportation of anthracite coal.
with a view of reducing them If justi-
fication for such reduction should be
found"
The governor also told Mr.. Cool
idge that mining opera tons are
likely to be resumed before Septeln-
Der 20. an assurance based on the
rapid action taken mere last night
after the terms of the proposed new
contract were agreed upon. Inc
union scale committee met immedi-
ately after the confereeS had com
pleted their session at o'clock ana
approved the agreement. The COM
mlIISe NAtu II a. Nt'S N0NN
for a tri district convention of mem
bers of the United Mine Workers in
the anthracite field at which the new
agreement will be submitted for rati-
fication. The meeting will be held in
Scranton. If it is ratified. as union
leaders expressed the belet II VIII
be. the work suspension order which
went into effect September l Will be
rescinded Immediately. AS Septem-
Der Is is primary election day in
Pennsylvania the men will not get
hack into the. mines before Septem-
Der 10.
Resumption of operations Will not
he DELAYED necessarily by the actual
signing of the new contract once THIS
is ratified by the tri-district coEven-
ton. The formal signing Will take
place in Harrisburg. The signers VIII
he those who made the agreement
last night. John l.. Lewis. president
OF the United Mine Workers. and
Thomas Kennedy, c. J. Golden adnd
Rinaldo Cappellini. district presi--
dents. representing the miners. and
:. D. Warriner chairman. W. J.
Richads, w. w. Inglis and A. B. Jes-
sup. the operators policy committee:
Governor Pinchot at the outset OF
his letter to President Coolidge eX-
dressed thanks for a telegram OF con-
era tulat lions received from the presi-
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