The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-21
COAL LEADERS AG AIN SEE K
 MINE PEACE
Both Sides Meet At Atlantic City To Draw Up Agreement For Year Beginning Septem- Der l And Prevent Strike
FUEL BOARD CAREFULLY WATCHING PROCEEDINGS
Operators Would Make Pre-
 Iiminary Wage Schedule To Prevent WaIkout Next Month Shorter Work Day Is Asked

ATLANTIC CITY, \. J., August 20. (By Associated Press )-Wage rates in the anthracite industry were the chief topics of discussion at today's session of the renewed joint nego- tiations of mine operators and union officials. By common consent, both groups set aside the question of check off" for union dues and union recognition which blocked pre- vious attempts at a settlement that would prevent a suspension of anthra- cite production September 1 and pro- ceeded to an analysis of the unions demands for general wage increases. They were, however. advanced toward common viewpoint when adjourn ment was taken tonight but left the topic open for more discussion to- morrow.
 In the meantime the United States coal commission which induced the lndustry's leaders to meet again in spite of their deadlock, was given report of the days transactions. Demand Pay Increases.
 John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers, and Philip Murray. it's vice president, and Ri- naldo Cappellini. c. J. Golden and Thomas Kennedy, It's three district presidents in the anthracite region. laid out the unions demands for S2 per day increase for all day work CTS in and around the mines, and for a 20 per cent increase in piece rates per ton for mining coal $. D. War riner, chairman of the anthracite pol ieies committee, who had three asso- ciates. w. J. Richards, A. B. Jessup and w. w. Inglis, in the joint meet ing, opposed.
 The operators took the general ground that the increase could be met only by increasing the price of coal. DS perhaps as much as Ss per ton, and that the consumer was in no position to pay the extra charges. and that the industry was in no po- stion to collect 1t.
 s,Lqim Wages Upward,
 For the union, MT. Lewis argued that wage rates in steel building, textile and other industries had been tending upward during the last year. He estimated that 90 per cent of the men in the anthracite workings were employed at wage rate of about S420 per day and that the average yearly earnings for such a man. pro Vided he worked the 27l days, which is the average of anthracite opera tion, would be $1.13S. The amount was inadequate, the union spokesman said.
 Both sides questioned coal commis- sion findings as to anthracite labor conditions, MT. Warriner asserting that official reports had found the labor rates sufficient to meet living costs The union contingent said that the coal commission had suggested Sl,700 as fair yearly earning In coal and that the lower paid men would have to work Sundays. holi- days and some nights to make that much.
 Q O o
 Keep Mines Running.
 Operators further said that the ne- gotiations, so far as they were con cerned, were being renewed with continuance offer in behalf of the employers to leave points in the cou- troVersy to arbitration and to keep the mines running while arbitration proceeded on the understanding that the final decision would be retroac- tive to September l. Existing wage contracts expire on that date
 The union had made l 1 demands for alteration of present arrangements. which they seek to have incorporated In the new wage contract. The ad- Vaneed wage scale is the second on the list, the first being the demand for recognition, check off" and a tWo-Sear contract