The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-31
THURs-.Y AUG. 81. 1893
THE COAL AGREEMENT

THE nations coal miners finally have won
= their fight for collective bargaining.
Under the code practically completed at Wash
ington, the United Mine Workers Of America
will be recognized by both the northern and
southern operators.
That represents a major victory for the
union-perhaps its greatest since the signing
of the famous Jacksonville agreement.
But it also is a victory for those progressive
operators who have recognized that the only
hope for a strife-free coal industry rests in
collective bargaining.
And Of course. the agreement is a crushing
defeat for the anti-labor policies of the Mel
1on-conTolled Pittsburgh Coal Company and
the Rockefeller-owned Consolidated Coal,
which have fought bitterly since 1927 to
break the union and keep their mines open
shop
As matter of fact, the open shop OPP
orators fight on this cardinal issue-colective
bargaining-was doomed from the start.
The national recovery act specifically guar
anteed to labor the right to organize and to
collective bargaining. Furthermore, the United
Mine Workers had been active since the NRA's
passage, enlisting new members in the nom
union field. They claimed 100000 new recruits
in the last three months.
The result was that the union went to
Washington as the undisputed spokesman for
the majority of the nations coal miners. 1t
was recognized as such by the government and
the progressive operators. And the Mellon
Rockefeller group ultimately had to face the
facts and accord the same recognition.
Once that disputed point was passed, it be-
came correspondingly easier for both sides to
reach an agreement. The union leaders showed
their willingness to compromise on the matter
of working hours and wages.
The fact that the operators finally surren-
dered on the collective bargaining issue does
not mean however, that they obtain no bene-
fits from the code.
In fact. their benefits are Just as great as
those of the miners.
For the first time the operators will be
protected against cut-throat competition and
unfair trade practices And they also will be
safeguarded against unwarranted strikes and
walkouts, such as have occurred frequently in
the last few months.
BY recognizing the United Mine Workers,
they recruit that organization as an ally to
help police the industry-to help keep peace in
the strife-torn coal fields.
With all these benefits that will go to OPP
orators and miners under the new code, the
public is likely to be the greatest beneficiary.
For years the coal districts have suffered
because of low wages paid to miners. Such
starvation rates of pay virtually have deprived
the miner of any purchasing power; they have
made out of him a public liability, instead of
a public asset.
This has cost merchants, banks and indus
tries millions of dollars in business. 1t has cost
the taxpayers other millions in relief funds TO
care for these underpaid miners and their
families
And the frequent strikes of the past few
years have laid additional burdens upon the
backs of every resident of these regions.
Now the way is open for the restoration of
the miners purchasing power, through higher
wages. And the end of the disastrous strife
between operators and miners seems definitely
in sight.
That is the best news the NRA yet has
brought to the country.