The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-08-17
BOARD WANTS
= - 80 - .f-t's
PRESIDENT
STRIKEBREAKER
An Federated Pressl

WASHINGTON there is a coal
strike the president shall be given au-
thority to interfere This is the rec
OmmendatiOn of the u. S. Coal Com
mission in its latest report on the
anthracite industry. An attempt to
draw the teeth of the United Mine
Workers and to make it a disciplin-
airy organization to enforce the wage
system against the rank and file min
ers is revealed In the report.
The commission wants the y. NJ, w.
"A. to go into a poOT-relatiOn partner
ship with the operators to secure en-
forcement of the general agreement,
especially in preventing button and
other LEGAL strikes as we'll as limiUa-
ton Of individual output.
Primarily the industry needs;~ ac-
cording to the report, "Che growth of
a better spirit and a better partner
ship. To accomplish this the COM
mission suggests not full recognition
of the miners organization, but better
organization of the operators along
lines similar to the U. M. w. A..
The commission recommends q reg
Ular Cancellation scheme with a perm
anent umpire to handle local grieYanc-
es, also q joint commission to analyze
jobs to set piece rates and eliminate
restriction of production. This would
make the union party to the introduce
ton of something like scientific man
agement."
"The next agreement shall provide
for a joint commission to inaugurate
a careful study of the elements of the
jobs in the anthracite industryfO the
purpose of building up a scientific and
more equitable basis for rate making.
Pending results. of such studyy it will
be necessary, of course, to retain the
old 1903 base," says the report.
The right of discharge and discip-
line belongs to the employer, accord
ing. 70 the commission, and should be
definitely guaranteed by the new
agreement:
'The new agreement shall correct
the present discrepancy between prin-
ciple and practice by stating specifi-
cally the rights of obligations of both
parties. In our judgment the right of
discharge and discipline should rest
with the operator subject to appeal
and prompt review by the Cancellation
machinery in case the discipline is al
legged to have been unreasonable OF
unjust Obviously both parties must
/ be committed to abide faithfully by
the results of such review
The commissions idea fits in with
the general idea which is gaining pre-
valence among the employers of both
England and America that in certain
industries unions should be encourage
ed to become stabilizing influences il
order to prevent unrest from under
mining present capitalist control. tt
quote the report:
eff the union is wise it will not per
nit the employer to take over the
duty of securing members, thus shut
ting it off from a responsibility and ;
contract with the rank and file that IL
the long run must be the source of it!
vitality.
"Habitual resort to petty strikes
means sacrificing a real authorit!
based upon recognition of work fo-
a temporary authority based on force
and threats of force which the nation
will sooner or later be obliged to curb
/ The national union must daily serve
the anthracite industry or expect dis
sensiOn and secessiOns. The distric
organization must afford a contro
which enforces the agreement, or ex
pect the public to provide an enforce
ment more mechanical, less expert
and less sympathetic"
There is a tacit threat in this. Tn
union must readjust itself from mil
liant to a peaceful function or the gov
eminent will use the strong arm
And it will be noted that although thu
union is made responsible for loca
peace in the industry the recommend
atoms Of the commission, covertly sug
gest that the "check-of should not b,
insisted upon.
One hundred percent unity on thu
employer side is recommended. Blu
the union method of securing contro
: Of all workers in the industry is no
countenahced.