The Washington times., 1923-08-30
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operation Of the mines after Fri
day midnight.
Outside of the check-off and the
wage question the Governor did
not touch on the eleven demands
made by the miners. The miners
have stated, 1t was pointed out by
several members Of their COMMITTEES
here, that they will not dig coal
Saturday unless q new contract is
signed.
The Governors program, the
same leaders say, 10 not one which
would result in the signing of the
contract before that hour. and at
the same time fails to provide, in
any way, for continued work in
the fields. =.
Wanted 20 Per Cent Raise.
While the union asked a 20 per
cent wage Increase for contract
workers and fiat raise OF 50 a day
for all day men. the governor sug-
gested but 10 per cent. This was
af least ~ per cent more than the
miners had expected 70 be offered.
The operators, itsis believed, would
not object e paying this increase
were they IN q position to add at
least 81 ton TO the cost OF coal. 81
Previous to the governors pro-
posal, Samuel ID. Warmer, chair
man Of the operators. committee,
publicly announced that q 90 per
cent wage boost, az asked by the
miners, would In turn cost the pub
DC So q ton more on its coal bill.
The GOVERNOR in his proposal,
said the operators could absorb at
least 10 cents OF what he said would
be q legitimate so cents ton boost
IN the price OF coal should the new
wage demand be accepted by tho
operators. The other so cents, he
held, could be absorbed by tram.
portation and distribution.
It was pointed out. however, that
the governor II without power to
regulate either transportation on he
railroads or distribution. costs.
Joker Is Seen.
These same sources pointed out
what they claim TO be joker In the
governors proposal-the statement
that III the public must pay this
slight increase It can well afford to
do 20 instead Of being without an
tlracife coal"
The operators may accept this
statement, grant the 10 per cent
wage boost and In turn raise coal
prices to the consumer.
The other three proposals were
of minor Importance.
The semi-check off Is now in eff
1ect in many Of the mines and
plan. almost ike that ADVOCATED BY
al mines. The gdvern0fss state
ment that the operators should
grant fun recognition Of the
union" may prove q stumbling
block In the acceptance OF the plan
by the operators.
There was little or no doubt.
about the state house. that the
miners would accept this semi
check-off plan.
The eight-hour day has been
agreed upon. with minor reserva-
tons. This, while q victory for
the union, In not expected to meet
even the slightest opposition from
the operators.
The principle Of collective bar
gaining is already recognized In
pointed out. sE
Operators Sudden Leave.
The unexpectedness Of the de-
parture Of the operators from Har.
risburg was unexplained today. It
was believed. that Warmer and his
aides, wished to go into conference
with other operators of IHhe an
fhracite field. and believed this
could be accomplished better In
Philadelphia. i
Both miners and operators today
announced they would be ready to
go before Governor Pinchot at noon
tomorrow, giving their answer to
his program.
Until that time / have nothing
to say" John L. Lewis, interna-
tional president Of the union, said
today.
Warmer, just before leaving for
Philadelphia, said he had pledged
himself not to talk.