Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-08
Resumption Mining
Continued from Pace Onel

we 90 not 1eel the wage increase
proposed is sufficient to compensate
the mine workers for the particular
service they render in producing an
thracite under the adverse conditions
they encounter. Neither do we be-
lieve 10 per cent increase is suf
ticient to enable them 10 meet their
family needs and other requirements.
We feel that our action in this in
stance in voluntarily agreeing to the
public spirited proposals of Governor
Pinchot will meet the commcnda ton
of the American people and insure
for the mine workers a greater de-
gree of consideration for the ills from
which they suffer.
THE action of the mine workers
was made by the operators. when
they agreed to abandon their demand
for arbitration and their further de-
mand that the mine workers forego
asking consideration of the remain
ing demands not covered by the four
points. In the face of this action,
representatives of the mine workers
are reluctant to continue suspension
of production in the industr, which
would mean suffering for the mine
workers and their families, and
prove tremendously disturbing to
business, and seriously dangerous to
the American people,.
Mr.. Lewis added that the union
order for the suspension of work
still stood.
To call off the suspension Mr..
Lewis explained. there must be a
satisfactory contract negotiated be-
tween the operators and the unions
scale committee, convention OIL
miners delegates must ratify this.
and the decision must be conveyed
to the local unions. The earliest
date at which mining could be re-
sumed under the program outlined,
be said, would be a week from Mon
day and intervening delays would
add to the time.
At the same time Mr.. Lewis ana
all other union spokesman were
strong in the belief that the remain
ing differences between operators
and the union were insufficient TO
prevent a final settlement. opera
tors were less sanguine and agreed
to with hold public statement OIL
their view until the end of the meet
ing which began later in the even
ing.
issues still unsettled between the
two groups cover the length OF time
for which the anticipated wage can
tract may run. operators belhS IN
favor of a single year; the dena.'HS
of the union for weighing or coal
instead of measuring it to deta1-
ni.ne earnings Of contract miners.
for revision Of existing rate sheet'
and establishments of nav ones. tc
fix earnings of contract mine"s. and
for an increase in the pay OF MIN
ers laborers. The union mad a fur
tier demand for 30 cent spe' mimi
mum for all mechanics employed IN
u.irn operations and for double l1!he
pa..rent for overtime tpol some
of these matters tentative agree
u.ent,, were made at various stage S
of the recent negotiations. but 9TH
ers were still entirely open
The ope, atcrS' group which has
been a unit in opposinf. any wage
Increase and has announced Wiling
ness to make one only al the sl:;-
gestion of Governor Pjnchot Was
fin. in declaring tonight unwilling"
ness tc conccde anything as % these
points that would add 20 the cost
o: coal production.
All these matters the operators
and mine representatives took with
them into another executive session
which began tonight. Governor
Pinchot asked that both groups re-
main in Harrisburg and was evil
IDENTIFY ready to take hand again
instantly if further barriers to set
Element arose.
Governor Pinchot was present
during part of the evening session
of the miners and operators. He
and other participants in the discus
sion appeared occasionally but with
out giving any intimation even after
the conference had been under way
for several hours. AS to the pros
poets for it's termination tonight.
The miners and operators rep
resentatives adjourned at 11.O4 to-
night to meet again at IL A. NJ. to-
morrow without having come to any
agreement Governor Pinchot. in a
statement said excellent progress
had been made and both sides were
showing a strong disposition to
reach an agreement"