Evening star., 1925-08-21
ARTICLE v,

Among the Government records
in Washington is case after case
where anthracite coal miners have
been fined and otherwise disciplined
for working too fast" or digging
too much coal" In each case the
penalty was imposed, not by the oper-
ators-who Immediately would have
been subject TO the tender operation
of the antitrust law-but by the
local union.
without doubt, limitation of out
put does exist" in the tight little an
thracite field, says the United States
Coal Commission. Official docu-
ments submitted to the commission
by counsel of the general policies
committee of the anthracite operators
on May 10 1929 gives the impression
that limitation of output Is very gen
orally practiced throughout the an
thracite field"
1t should be made clear at the out
set that the operators apparently are
no party to this practice, whatever
its extent, although q limited output
Of anthracite undoubtedly tends TO
keep prices up and imposes thereby
an additional charge on consumers.
On the other hand. the fact that min
ers can speed up when desired is like
wise clearly demonstrated by the lat
United States Geological Survey.
Production Speeded Up.
These figures show that, whereas
the normal output of anthracite Is at
the rate of approximately $4,000 900
tons a year, the rate increased in the
face of the present strike threat, at
least during a single week, to a rate
of approximately 110,000,000 tons a
year-25 per cent more than normal.
There was a big demand for coal at
the time, both in the open market
and on the part of firms desiring to
store coal against the strike.
With respect to limiting output, the
Coal Commission says:
THE amount varies by districts
and does not seem to be an important
problem in two of the three districts" :"
A few Of many reports of interviews
with mine managers, obtained by the
Government field agents, are quoted
as follows in the commissions re-
port:
About two years ago President
Blank of the local at B colliery was
instrumental in having q resolution
passed by the local fining coal labor
ers loading more than two cars q day.
The superintendent demonstrated with
him. The leader said that he had the
right to fine a man for working too
fast, as any one had to fine automo-
bilists for going more than 80 miles
an hour.
"The company explained to the va
rious members Of the union that this
restriction of output was contrary to
the agreement with the operators).
The company considered taking this
case before the conciliation board. In
a short time. however, members of
the union began to lose faith in this
leader, and at a meeting of the local
| members clamored for the floor and
showered abuse on the officials Of the
union.
Demand was made upon the Off
| GERS to produce the books and to In
form the members of the union in
what bank the money was deposited.
The president declared the meeting
adjourned without taking a vote This
action resulted in a new man being
elected president. Thereafter the
union credited the fines toward the
Union dues of those persons who had
been fined for loading more than the
! limited amount"
In another case, the commission re-
ports, two buddies were engaged in
"robbing" pillars. ''Robbing' is a
miners term for kind of mining
The buddies figured out" says the