Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-13
Five Year Contract
CONTINUED from Page one)

tlC OpCi dIOlc die ODllSdlCu anu uH-
derstand that they must agree TO
some system of deducting union dues
from the miners wages. To fail to
an act of bad faith" under the
agreement.
Leaders among the operators and
miners tonight were emphatic in their
declarations that the settlement was
within the industry" and without
any outside influence.
1t was stated by the highest au-
thority in each camp that neither the
president of the United States nor
the governor of Pennsylvania and no
federal or state department had
hand in the settlement.
The figure that stands out tonight
as the one man who did most to bring
about an end to the long and disas-
trous struggle is r. F. Grant of
Cleveland Ohio. He Is vice president
of the M. "A. Hanna Company. soft
coal operators, and president Of the
Susquehanna Galleries Company, an
anthracite subsidiary of the Hanna
concern.
Both miners and operators be-
slowed the highest praise on his
ability as mediator. John L. Lewis,
president of the United Mine Work.
ers, said that Mr.. Grant was the
mediator and fundamentally" in
bringing an end to the strike and
performed a wonderful service. This
statement was echoed by the opera
tors.
Mr.. Grant was quite modest In ex-
planning his activities. After caustic
reference to many champions of the
people with politivel hopes who
capitalize situations for ri1etr own
benefit, Mr.. Grant gave instituted
praise to President Coolidge Tor his
on-interference.
Il call attention to the great COM
mon sense and wisdom of President
Coolidge" said Mr. Grant. 1T Is my
firm conviction that If he had yielded
to the great pressure upon him and
had tried to intervene. this contract
would not be signed today. The
American people are entitled to know
this solemn conviction of mine and to
honor this great presidet Of ours who
has shortened the strike by his wis
dom."<
Mr.. Grant quietly began his work
of bringing about a settlement last
Saturday when he saw Major Inglis,
chairman of the anthracite operators
negotiating committee, in Scranton
Whether 1t was the psychological
moment" to act or whether the OPP
orators were ready for a settlement
Is no revealed. but after getting Ma
jor Inglis and other operators in
receptive mood to consider cnces-
sionsr he got in touch with President
I -ss, t.,
day.
The leader of the miners, who had
known Mr.. Grant for years and
trusted HIM. showed willingness to
reopen negotiations and Wednesday
found the Cleveland man in Phiadel-
phia with the operators.
Newspapermen who had the scent
could not be shaken off and yester-
| day morning the Associated Press
was able to make known with accur-
acy that another effort to end the
srike was being made, despite denials
from both sides.
1t was computed that the mine
| workers lost more than $15S, 00O, 900
in wages. and that the coal produce
ton was curtailed approximately
35,O00,000 tons. 1t has been figured
that the miner receives $4.52 a ton
for his labor and that the average
retail selling price of, coal around
the country was SIS "a ton. The
,, loss of 35,000,00O tons of production
thus resulted in oss of $366,S00,0 900
to mine owners, railroads, retail
dealers and all elements entering in
to the handling of coal between the
mines and the consumers furnace
or a grand total of s524 ZOO, 600 when
/ the miners wages are included.
The miners full scale of thirty nine
went into session before IL A. NJ. and
shortly afterward word was flashed
from Harrisburg that Governor Pin
chot had announced the strike had
been settled. This premature an
nouncement was soon followed by
wod from Washington that Secre-
tary Davis had given out the settle
ment terms. but not a word was re-
vealed from the miners conference
, room.
After a session of more than two
hours the miners ended their meet
ing at l p. NJ. without any formal
announcement, but it was learned
that they had accepted the strike
settlement without amendment and
had called a convention of miners to
meet in Scranton, next Tuesday
morning.
Meantime the operators negotiat-
ing committee, six in number. filed
into another room and awaited the
miners sub committee, also made up
of six men.
When formal announcement of the
settlement was made each side was
ready with statements for the eager
ly awaiting reporters. Along with
the statements was given out the
formal agreement which will be
written into a contract and signed
when the Scranton convention rati-
fies the pact.
Mr.. Lewis said the settlement was
Satisfactory and constructive"
ut does not contain the principle
of arbitration for which the operat-
ors have been contending," he added,
but it does provide machinery for
the exercise of reason in the indus
try.
TT Is the dawn Of new era in
the anthracite industry and both OPP
orators and miners should make the
most of the opportunity which is
given them"
The important section in the peace
pact, after stating that the contract
shall remain in effect five years and
that the old wage rate may be adj
justed by mutual agreement, If
possible is as follows:
"If within thirty days after start
ing such negotiations, the parties
have not agreed. all issues in contro-
versy shall be referred to a board OF
two men with full power and without
reservation or restrictions: and the
parties agreed to abide by any decis-
ion or decisions of such board, either
on the merits of the controversy or as
to procedure to be followed. Such
board shall be appointed as follows: