Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-21
DISCUSS WAGES

Atlantic City, Aug 2o-Wage rates
in the anthracite industry were the
chief topic of discussion before to-
days session of the renewed joint
negotiations Of mine operators and
union officials. By common consent.
both groups set aside the questions
of check off for union dues and un-.
ion recognition, which blocked pres
vious attempts at a settlement that
would prevent a suspension OF an
thracite production September and
proceeded to an analysis Of the urr--
ions demands for general wage in
cresses. They were, however, in no
degree advanced toward a common
viewpoint when adjournment was
taken tonight but left the topic open
for more discussion tomorrow. In
the meantime. the United States coal
commission, which induced the IN
dustry's leaders TO meet again in
s"ita of tr"ir fnn dock. was given a
report of the days transaction.
"onn l.. Lewis, president of the Unit
ed Mine Workers. and Phillip Murray,
its vice president, and Rinaldo Cappel-
lini. c. ]. Golden and Thomas Kennedy,
its three district presidents in the an
thracite region. SET out the unions de-
mand for a 81 per day increase for all
day workers in and around the mines.
and for 20 per cent. increase in piece
rates per ton for mining coal. S. d.
Warmer. chairman of the anthracite
policies committee. who had three as
sociates. W. j. Richards. A. b. Jessup
and w. ". Inglis. in the joint meet
ing. opposed
The operators took the general
ground that the increase could only
be met by increasing the price of Coat
by perhaps as much as 81 per ton and
that the consumer was in no position to
pay the extra charge. and that the In
dustry was in no position to collect II.
, The competition of bituminous coal and
oil as sub-fuels would result in the
shutting down. they claimed. of anthra-
cite mines and the unstabilizing Of an
thracite production. For the union, Mr..
Lewis argued that wage rates in steel.
building. textile and other industries
had been tending upward during the
last year. He estimated that 80 per
cent. in the anthracite workings were
employed at a wage rate of about 1870
per day, and that the average yearly
earnings of such a man. provided he
worked 271 days, which is the average
Of anthracite operation. would be s113s.
The amount was inadequate. the union
spokesman said.
Both sides questioned coal commits
sion findings as to anthracite labor con-
ditions. Mr.. Warmer asserting that
the official report had found the labor
rates sufficient to meet living costs.
The union contingent said that the coal
commission had suggested $1,000 as
fair yearly earnings in coal and that
lower paid men would have to work
Sundays. holidays and some nights to
make that much.
Operators further said that the ne
gotiations. so far as they were con-
cerned, were being renewed with q
continuous offer in behalf of the EN-
ployers to leave points in the contro-
versy to arbitration. on the understand
ing that the final decision would be
made retroactive to September ]. Ex-
listing wage contracts in the industry
expire on that date. ~
The union had made IL demands for
alteration of present arrangements
, which they seek TO have incorporated
in the new wage contract. The sd-
| yanced wage scale is the second on thu
list. the fret being the demand for rec
ognition, check-off. and two-year con-
tract.