Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-08-06
THE BREAK IN ANTHRACITE
WAGE SCALE NEGOTIATIONS

THE BREAK IN ANTHRACITE
WAGE SCALE NEGOTIATIONS
It would appear that operators
and miners in their anthracite wage
scale negotiations could have work.
ed to much better advantage II they
had entered the parley in the spirit
that neither side can rightfully ex-
pect to have everything its own way.
The public will not be impressed
by the attitude Of the miners in re-
jecting the proposal Of the operators
that all matters in dispute be sub
mitted to impartial arbitration under
conditions ensuring adjudication fair
TO all parties concerned, work to
continue at present wage rates
pending the result of such arbitra-
ton.
On the other hand, the operators
might have given more considera-
ton to the request Of John L. Lewis,
president Of the United Mine Work.
ers of America. that Samuel D..
Warriner, chairman of the anth-
racite operators conference. and
William ]. Richards, another veteran
Of past negotiations. be present at
the wage scale conference. Mr..
Lewis was reported to have asked
them to appear beginning Tuesday,
declaring that otherwise the lesser
executives" whom operators had
sent to represent them made agree
ment impossible.
The opposition by Mr.. Lewis to an
arbitration commission, was. as he
expressed 1t, ''on the principle that
the worker surrenders virtually
every right Of self determination in
personal and family life" This, 1t
is believed, will not be looked upon
as a very strong argument against
the principle of arbitration, which
has been efficient in settling SO
many disagreements. To be sure.
the mine workers would make some
concession. Just as the operators
would, but tho claims Of both sides
would be carefully considered by the
third party. and in addition the in
terests Of the public would be rep
resented.
"The course of events as the date
Of expiry Of each agreement be-
tween operators and miners ap-
rroaches may always be foretold
with substantial accuracy" says the
Philadelphia Record. "The steps are
as follows:
% Miners formulate demands
for wage increases and more ad-
vantageous working conditions, and
for the use of the power of the COM
panies, through the "check- k-off," to
strengthen the unions.
(2) Operators propose wage re-
ductions or continuance of former
wage scale.
(3) Miners and operators meet in
conference and reach deadlock.
(4) Strike is declared-sometimes
uader a euphemistic name, but still
q strike.
60 Government, national or
State, steps in to force arbitration.
90 Arbitral award grants part Of
miners demands.
Cd Operators bill increased cost
of production to consumer-in-
cidentally, we suspect, realizing en-
hanced profits on stocks of coal
mined on former terms and marked
at new prices.
"Thc time is coming when the
fifth, sixth and seventh acts of this
outworn farce will have to be elimi-
mated. We are not prepared to
predict how the elimination will
take place-whether by resort by
the public to the use Of other and
cheaper fuels, or by Government
acquisition Of the business Of pro-
ducing and marketing coal; but 1t
Is coming.
Whether the Government will take
immediate steps to settle the dispute
before the present wage agreement
expires on August 81, is prob
lematical. as is also the question
whether the miners will take a
broader view Of the matters at issue
and consent to a continuation of
negotiations.
Operators claim to agree with the
public that the price Of anthracite
is now about as high as the con-
sumner is able and willing to pay,
The operators. Furthermore, see the
handwriting on the wall in the in
creased use Of anthracite substitutes
The miners in seeking an increase
In wages would do we'll to give more
consideration to these points and
also to. the suggested possibility OF
Government acquisition of the bust
ness Of producing and marketing
coal
The public, willing to pay a fair
compensation to the miners, is eager
~ watching for the next move
toward settlement now that negotia-
fons have apparently been broken
OF. and in the debate on workers
wages and operators profits would
appreciate greater weight being
placed by both groups on all i'm
partial findings. such, for example
A. those Of the United States Coal
Commission. Perhaps the sugges-
ton will not be amiss that wider
publicity be given to any such find
ings a. relate to the wages and liv-
inS conditions Of the miners. In the
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