coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

42 TIIE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
from a screen eoal basis to mine-run takes place,
the miners may continue at work pending a set­
tlement of all questions ill dispute, in the event Local secretaries will post notices of election
an agreement to do so is reached by the repre­ at least one week prior thereto. No election held
sentatives of the operators and miners of said on any otlier date, nor any votes taken in any
district.
other manner than as herein required will be
Fourth, that all contracts be made for a period regarded as legal. The correctness of the vote
of two years, beginning April 1, 1914. ancl ending cast for and against the proposition must, be
March 31. 1910.
certified to on the returns sent to the Interna­
Fifth, that the question of signing agreements tional office by the tellers selected by* the local
with, individual emiiloyers. together with all other for the purpose of tabulating tbe vote. The cor­
details of policy necessary to put into effect tbe rectness of the returns must be attested with the
provisions herein stated, is referred to fhe Inter­ local seal and signatures of president and recordnational
Executive Board with full power to act. ing secretary of tbe local union. The returns
This proposition provides for a settlement by- must be sent to the International secretary not
groups of districts, districts or sub-districts on later than Tuesday, April 21. 1914.
the basis of tbe present prices, with tbe understanding
that in the joint conferences local inequalities
ancl internal questions, both as to prices
and conditions, may be taken up for adjustment.
In behalf of the policy committee we advise
you to vote in favor of the adoption of the proposed
basis of settlement, for tbe following reason)
especially:
First, it means a settlement at not less than
In conclusion we respectfully recommend that
you vote in favor of the acceptance of tbe policy
committee's recommendation. We are convinced
that if you do so it means industrial peace
and no strike. If not, it means a strike with
all its attendant hardships and sacrifices.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN P. WHITE, President.
the present rate of wages.
Second, it gives districts, sub-districts ancl
FRANK J. HAYES, Vice-Pies.
WM. GREEX, Sec.-Treas.
groups of districts tbe right to take up local
questions both as to prices and conditions of em­
ployment for settlement.
Third, the coal markets, together with indus­
trial and economic conditions, do not justify a
strike at this time if such ean honorably be
avoided.
Fourth, just at this time the non-union opera­
tors desire a strike in the organized fields so
they can obtain their contracts. We were re­
liably informed that representatives of the nonunion
operators of Kentucky, West Virginia, Penn­
sylvania and elsewhere, were in both Philadel­ prohibiting the same set of individuals holding
phia and Chicago while tbe joint conferences were stock in two distinct corporations even though
in session, doing all within their power to bring they may be engaged in kindred business.
about a disagreement and a strike. And so. The decision was handed down by Judges Gray,
in view of the slack work generally, we are un­
Buffington and McPherson of the Third Judicial
willing to play into their hands by going on
Circuit. The action was brought in the Federal
strike, throwing the mines idle and thus allow
court at Trenton, but through a certificate of ex­
them to fill the markets with non-union coal.
pedition filed by Attorney General McReynolds,
The adoption of this proposition means indus­
trial peace, which is best for our organization,
ourselves and our families at this time. If it is
rejected it means a strike. This is the question
which you. by* your voices, are called upon to
answer.
All local unions will vote upon the acceptance
or rejection of the proposition herein recom­
mended by the policy committee on Tuesday, April
14, 1914. Tlie vote must be by ballot, each mem­
ber of the local union to be supplied with same
and the question shall be in favor of tbe accept­
ance of proposition " Vcs" or against "No."
UNITED STATES LOSES SUIT
AGAINST ANTHRACITE ROAD.
The United States Circuit Court filed an opin­
ion at Trenton, N. J., April 7, dismissing the suit
of the United States government against the Dela­
ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co. and
the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Coal Co.
for alleged violation of the commodities clause
and the Sherman anti-trust law. The court held
that there is no United States law or decision
was heard by the judges of the Court of Appeals
at Philadelphia in January.
The case was considered of the highest import­
ance by the government, as it was one of the
steps planned by the Department of Justice in its
efforts to break up what it alleges to be a mon­
opoly of the anthracite coal trade. The case,
which was brought under both the Sherman anti­
trust law and the commodities clause of the Hep­
burn railroad law, in all probability wil! go direct
to the Supreme Court of the United States.