The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-09
FUEL PROBERS
 ASK PRIVATE
 o " NE K HIP
Continued From Page one)

authority with power to require financial reports, to. prescribe uni form methods of cost accounting. and to determine the conditions under which the coal may be shipped in interstate commerce. An extensive study was made of the living con- ditions of the miners families, and the wages, earnings, and labor condi- tions of the mine workers form a large part of it's report. Earnings are not stated by averages but by classes, the amount earned by these classes. and the days worked to earn the same. Of those who avail them- selves of the opportunity to work the year round, the income for a family of five ranges in general from $1,5oU to S2.000. Some exceed this; many fall below it.
 kept up with the increase In popula- tion, nor, unless additional miners helpers enter the industry, is there hope of increasing the output. The mines are now making a record in the way of production but even yet are not using the mine and breaker to full capacity. If the labor can be found double shifts in the lowed t mines would help to relieve the situa- ton. Improved practices in the use of anthracite are urged, and recom- mendations made to reduce the num- Der of market sizes, for better in spection of coal so as to guarantee quality, and the larger use of sub stitutes. The consumer can create a demand for substitutes that will serve as one form of insurance against unjust combinations of either labor or capital and the consequent rising prices.
 Rights of Individual.
 Tt finds the legal right to exist oi man to work as he pleases. It finds also the right of collective bar gaining, but observes that in actual practice neither of these rights is left unobstructed. It distn- guishes between economic and polit- ical rights and holds that under the guise of fixing wages and working conditions a campaign to advance a political theory should not be waged. It Insists that collective bargaining implies collective keeping. of the bargain, and suggests penalties for the breach thereof in any new agree ment entered into. It offers mum Der of suggestions looking towards bringing the operator and miner together in more friendly spirit and for the speedier adjustments Of differences than now exists.
 Tt recommends that the anthra- cite contract shall not expire at the same time the bituminous one does, and that the contract shall provide for It's renewal except1as to any sub jects which either side may desire to review and bf which notice is given 90 days before the expiration of the contract. If they have not agreed 60 days before such expira tion, they shall report all the facts in controversy to the President of the United States. who shall appoint one or more persons to investigate the controverted facts and make a public report thereon prior to the expiration of the contract
 Tt also recommends that the Con- gress shall give the President author ity, in the event of the cessation of operations, to declare an emergency. take charge of the mines, fix wages and the compensation to be paid the owner. subject to review by the courts. and to distribute the product as he deems wise and just"