Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1920 — MINERS' WAGES; GOAL PRICE UP [ARTICLE]

MINERS' WAGES; GOAL PRICE UP

Commission Recommends 25 "|. Increase, But Labor Objects. AWARD IS NOT RETROACTIVE Inion Member Dissents anti Will Submit Minority Report—Operators l‘re<Hct Higher Coal I’rlces. I —• * Washingtou, March 12. —A 25 per cent wage increase for bituminous coal miners is recommended in a majority report of the commission appointed by President Wilson to settle the coal strike. The wnge Increase proposed will absorb (he 14 per cent grunted when the miners returned to work Inst November, so that tlie actual increase Is 11 per cent over present wages. The majority recommended that the checkoff system, by which the operators collect from the miners dues to the unions, be retained. It also recommended that the question of differentials be referred to a special commission to be appointed by the Joint wage scale conference and to report in two years. The wnge Increase would not bo made retroactive. The commission did not nsk that the powers of the fuel administration be conferred on it.

Sought Big Increase. The miners originally demanded a GO per cent Increase in wagos and a KO-hour week, but after conferences here with Secretary Wilson and the operators* they modified their demands to a 45 per cent Increase. When the strike was called off the miners were granted a temporary Increase of 14 per cent until the commission could meet and hear all the facts. This Increase was that held out for by former Fuel Administrator Barfield, who insisted that this advance added to those received during the war brought the miners’ wages up to the level of the cost of living. No change In working hours or conditions was recommended. John P. White, representing the miners, Tield out for a higher wnge Increase, It was said, and will submit a minority report. The majority made no recommendations as to price increase to cover the advance In wages. Its statement that it did not ask for fuel administrator powers was taken to mean that It held that the question of Increased prices was one for Bn; fuel administration to decide. Rembrandt Peale, representing the operators, Joined with Henry M. Robinson, representing the public, in signing the majority report. The report was submitted to the president only after the commission had labored for several days tn an effort to compose Its differences and make a unanimous report, as It was requested to do in the letter from President Wilson creating it last November. Anthracite Workers Begin Parley. New York, March 12.—The subcommittee of operators and miners appointed to negotiate a new wage agreement for the anthracite coal miners held Its first conference here. The sessions are expected to continue for several weeks before a definite decision Is reached. . The high cost of living will figure largely In the arguments of the mine workers for a GO per cent wage Increase, it was stated. Volumes of statistics have been gathered by the statisticians of the United Mine Workers to show that their wages have not kept pace with the cost, of living. These Will be presented early in the subcommittees conferences. Operators to Raise Price. St. Louis, Mo., March 12. —Thomas T. Brewster, chairman of the coal operators’ scale committee in the central competitive field, asserted the price of coal would be raised If the 25 per cent wnge Increase be granted, as recommended by the commission appointed by President Wilson to settle the coal miners’ strike. Mr. Brewster refused to approximate what the price Increase would be until he has received an official copy of the commission’s report.