Evening star., 1923-08-30

specialists in America, who are best
informed upon the facts concerned
in the present controversy were as
sembled in the state capitol.
Sees Basis of Settlement.
Upon the basis Of the information
assembled from all these sources. with
the profound belief that it affords a
basis of settlement which is reason
able and just. which miners and op-
orators alike may accept with credit
and honor, and with the firm conyic-
ton that fairness to the anthracite
using people of America requires that
following basis of settlement with the
understanding that all questions con-
cerning IL or not covered by IL shall
be referred to the joint conference of
racite conciliation board shall de-
termine any questions upon which the
Joint conference cannot agree.
Il. Recognition of the basic eight
hour day for all employees. II longer
hours are necessary at certain times.
or in certain occupations, the over
time to be paid for at the eight-hour
rate.
"2. A uniform increase of 10 per cent
to all employees, this increase to take
effect September I.
Asks Union Recognition.
the operators. without the check-of
but with the right to have a union
representative present when the men
are paid. ! do not regard the question
Of the open or closed shop as at issue
in this controversy.
~. Complete recognition of the
principle OF collective bargaining.
II suggest, as a means OF avoiding
or settling differences, that IL. in the
course of collective bargaining. the
L. Of ha N q
operators are unable to agree they
shall select a man agreeable to both
sides to attend and take part in their
discussions, but without vote, and
mot as umpire or referee. II they
are still unable to agree, their diff
ferences shall be referred to the con-
ciliation board, which shall be provid-
ed with whatever equipment is nee
essary for the rendering OF prompt
decisions.
Asks Year's Contract.
"I am strongly Of the opinion that
an agreement signed on the fore-
going basis, should cover not less
:aThe whole body of wage rates In
the anthracite field Is antiquated,
haphazard and honeycombed with in
equality. 1t needs revision. ! sug-
gest that the anthracite conciliation
board be authorized by the joint wage
scale committees to undertake and
complete within a year a thorough
revision. and for that purpose be
supplied with the necessary help.
The proposed increase of 10 per
cent is recommended in view of the
high degree of skill required among
the miners, and the extra hazardous
nature Of the occupation: Five hun
dred workers are killed and 10000
are injured each year.
""The 10 per cent wage increase, ac-
cording to the best figures available
to me, will add 60 cents ton to the
cost Of domestic sizes OF anthracite
coal at the mine. OF this amount
not less than 10 ce4ts can be. and
ought to be, absorbed by the oper-
ators without any increase OF price;
In the last three months or ls2z ana
the first three months OF 1873 their
profits have been greater than ever
before in their history. But the en-
tent to which these producing condl-
tions will continue no one can no"
predict with confidence.
"The remaining 80 cents per ton
should not in the end be taken IRON
the consumer. The whole OF II can
the cost Of transportation and dis
Anthracite mines vary in the cost
Of producing coal. A very consider,
able percentage OF the mines nroSs b1a Hoiro in
at fair profit. others operating on
a smaller margin, might be forced to
close down II their cost OF production
were raised even by a much smaller
amount. To decrease the margins at
the mines more than 10 cents per ton
now might unduly reduce production.
Il is to the public interest that bins
be filled for the winter and that fac
production Is assured ! intend to
i recommend constructive plans that
will, am confident, prevent any part
Of this increase OF 30 cents q ton go
ing to the consumer.
IT believe the proposed settlement
Ito be fair to all three parties to this