Council meeting in 1903. It was decided "to seek for a living wage for
all workers in and about the mines and for no man or lad to be more
than eight hours from bank to bank in one day." It will be observed
that the county had to seek, but it did not define by what means the
object had to be sought. The Executive was in a strait between the
legal eight hours and negotiation with the employers. They therefore
resolved to take the opinion of the county by submitting the question
to the ballot. On June 25th they issued the voting papers, accompanied
by the following circular:--
Gentlemen,--It will be observed that the word "seek" is the word we
invariably use when we send cases before the owners for negotiation.
It would have been competent for the Executive Committee to have
interpreted the new object in that light, and have looked upon it as
being a point to aim at, rather than take it as absolute, and
especially when you remember that, recognising the evils of a sudden
introduction of a shortening of the hours from ten to eight hours, we
have always been against the State regulation of hours, and by ballot
before we have so decided. The Committee, however, think it will be
best to submit the question to you to say whether we are to proceed
by negotiation, or by an appeal to the State, and for that purpose
the ballot papers have been drawn up, so that we may have a plain
issue upon the two methods. There can be no mistake.
There are three things I would like to mention. First, let every full
member (and no other) vote, as it affects all, and will affect all;
second, I ask the lodge officials to let the ballot be such in nature
more than name. Let it be as secret as possible; and third, let me
urge upon you not to be led away by sentiment, but consider the
effect it may have upon the position of every man, lest we may make
things worse than they are. It will be too late to regret after. We
had better weigh well the result before the step is taken.
J. WILSON.
_June 25th, 1903._
The result of the ballot was as follows:--for Trades Union effort,
30,841; for State interference, 12,899; majority, 17,942.
There were 161 lodges voted. Some lodges refused to vote, expressing
their opposition to any change in the hours, but some refused without
assigning any reason. The vote, however, was very decisive, and
reaffirmed the opposition to legal enactment in respect to the eight
hours.
COAL-DRAWING AGREEMENT
The question of drawing coals after loose had been for some time in
dispute between the two Associations. A number of meetings were held.
In the discussion the employers claimed the right to draw coals, if it
suited their convenience, at any time. This could not be granted. Then
they asked for an arrangement which would allow them to draw coals if
it were the custom prior to 1890, and in case of a break up to draw
coals to make up the loss. If this were granted they would concede
four of the requests the workmen were making. The Executive Committee
was not willing to retrospect so far as 1890, but was willing to date
back to 1900, and to allow the employers the opportunity for proper
preparation for the pit starting the day after an accident, if it were
long. This concession formed the basis of settlement, and the
following agreement was made:--
It is this day agreed between the Durham Coal Owners' and the Durham
Miners' Association as follows:--
1. That at all collieries where at the end of December 1900 it was
customary for coals to be drawn at other times than the ordinary
coal-drawing hours, such customs shall continue to the same extent.
2. That at all collieries the owners shall have the right of drawing
after the 10 or 20 hours' coal drawing time, as the case may be, such
of the coals standing in the shaft sidings as owing to accident it
may be necessary to send to bank for any of the following
purposes:--
(_a_) To enable stones to be drawn;
(_b_) To enable pit timber or other material to
be got down and clear of the shaft sidings.
3. That at all collieries, in case of an accident or breakdown which
is not remedied one hour before loose, such coals shall be drawn as
may be necessary to prepare the pit for working the next shift, such
preparations to mean drawing such a quantity of coal as will enable
one empty set (or 45 tubs where endless rope haulage is employed) to
be taken to each landing affected by the accident.
For the Durham Coal Owners' Association,
REGINALD GUTHRIE.
For the Durham Miners' Association,
JOHN WILSON.
JOHN JOHNSON.
Three of the concessions on the part of the employers are contained in
the following agreement:--
It is hereby agreed between the Durham Coal Owners' Association and
the Durham Miners' Association as follows:--
_Hand Putters' Basis Wage._--That the basis wage for hand putters
when employed on datal work shall be 3s. 4d. per day.
_Stone Putters' Short Shifts._--That stone putters when working with
stonemen and shifters shall be allowed the same short shifts as those
granted to the men with whom they are working.
_Boys' Minimum Wage._--That the minimum basis wage of boys employed
at bank shall be one shilling per day.
For the Durham Coal Owners' Association,
REGINALD GUTHRIE.
For the Durham Miners' Association,
JOHN WILSON.
BROKEN PRICE
There was a fourth question which was not put in the agreement because
it was so complicated--viz. the fixing of a relative price between the
whole and broken prices. The custom at some collieries had been to fix
a whole and broken price for the seam, the definite figure being named
of, say, 2d. per ton difference. In every case where a future broken
started it was at the original price, no matter how much the whole
prices might have increased. The effect was that there were men who
might be working at 2s. or 2s. 6d. per ton on the Saturday, and
through the area of goaf being taken out they would have a reduction
of in some cases 1s. and 1s. 4d. per ton on Monday. It was always
difficult to get a rectification at Joint Committee, and it was
thought best to arrange a uniform or relative price between the whole
and broken prices, so that, no matter how the prices in the former
might alter, the relative difference would never vary. The arrangement
removed a very great anomaly and grievance, it being left to the Joint
Committee to decide.
SURFACE FIREMEN'S WAGES
This was a settlement made by the Conciliation Board. Some years
prior, by an arbitration, it was decided "that the standard or basis
average wage of firemen at bank working twelve hours per day is 3s.
3d. per day of twelve hours." The operation of that award was that
before a man could claim the 3s. 3d. he must be working the full
twelve hours per day; if not, the employer could claim a
proportionate reduction. The arrangement made on November 6th, 1903,
reduced the time to eleven hours for the 3s. 3d., those above that
time receiving an advance of 3d. per day. By a return taken at the
time the number of men and hours at the Associated Collieries was
found to be as follows:--
12 hours per shift 506 men
11½ " " " 1 man
11 " " " 37 men
10½ " " " 78 "
10 " " " 38 "
8 " " " 3 "
---
563
Average hours per shift, 11.63; and the result, therefore, was an
all-round increase of 3d. per day.
1904
Labour Representation--Mr Johnson and Gateshead--Suspension of Joint
Committee--Conciliation Board--The Fillers' Agreement
It will be necessary to retrace our steps a year or two to keep this
question in consecutive order. The action taken in 1885 has been set
forth, with the result thereof. The matter rested with one
representative until the Council meeting held on June 7th, 1902, when
the Executive Committee placed on the programme the following
resolution:--
The time is now opportune for considering the question of increased
Labour representation in Parliament for the county of Durham.
On the Council programme for September 12th, 1902, the Committee
placed another resolution:
With a view of giving effect to Council resolution, with regard to
further Labour representation, we ask that the whole matter be
relegated to the sections comprising the Federation Board.
On November 1st that resolution came before the Federation Board, when
it was resolved as follows:--
That we express our belief that the time has fully arrived when we
ought to have increased Labour representation in Parliament, and that
the other three sections be requested to consult their members on the
subject, and as soon as they intimate their decision to the secretary
a meeting of the Board be called.
The course of action indicated in that resolution was followed. The
idea was accepted nearly universally. The Federation Board, therefore,
resolved to place the matter before the four Committees on January
31st in the Miners' Hall, Durham. It was decided to call a special
delegate meeting, to be held in the Town Hall, Durham, the following
programme to be submitted:--
(1) Shall there be an increase in the number of Labour
representatives in the county?
(2) If so, how many more shall be chosen?
(3) Who shall they be?
(4) That the selections of divisions be left to the four Committees.
(5) Ways and means.
The united Committees advised that there should be an increase of
two. This was not done because they believed it to be a mathematically
fair proportion of the county, but because it was best to move safely.
They left the choice of candidates to the Council, but suggested that
the selection of divisions should be remitted to them (the four
Committees), and that as regards the ways and means the same system as
obtained in the case of Mr Wilson should apply to those chosen.
Having regard to our space we need not enlarge upon the various steps
in the procedure. It will be sufficient to say that the Council
accepted the advice, leaving the carrying out of the details to the
four Committees. The candidates selected were Mr J. Johnson and Mr J.
W. Taylor. Shortly after the selection was made, and while the
Committees were trying to arrange for the division, a communication
was received from the South-East Durham Liberal Association asking
that Mr J. Johnson should be sent there as a candidate. In the end the
request was acceded to, but before much was done beyond the acceptance
Sir W. Allan, M.P. for Gateshead, died suddenly, and within a day or
two the Liberal Association made overtures, and invited Mr Johnson. A
meeting was called, and in response he was transferred to Gateshead.
It would not serve any good purpose nor assist our history if notice
were made of some objections and some objectors. It will be sufficient
if we record that he was returned on January 20th, 1904, by a majority
of 1205, and we make mention of two matters--first, a resolution of
the Federation Board:
That we, the Federation Board, representing the whole of the workers
in and about the mines in Durham, desire to tender our thanks to the
electors of Gateshead for the splendid majority with which they have
returned Mr Johnson as Member of Parliament for their borough, and
all who worked to secure his return.
Second, a portion of the _Monthly Circular_ for January:
There are many matters worthy of notice this month, but the one
nearest your hearts and mine is _our_ success at Gateshead. Mr
Johnson is the M.P. for that borough, but the victory is _ours_. I
have no envy for the state of mind of any man or men who can find
room for carping or faddism in connection with the election. We are
the last people among whom such should be found. The invitation to
contest the seat was spontaneous. The workers were numerous,
energetic, and of all classes, and the rejoicing when the result was
known was of the most enthusiastic nature. It was encouraging to
receive from a number of our lodges good wishes during the contest,
and their congratulations since the victory was secured.
SUSPENSION OF JOINT COMMITTEE
Through a dispute which arose over a decision given by the chairman of
Joint Committee the meetings were entirely suspended, the employers
alleging that the decision was against the rules of the Joint
Committee. This objection was not taken until after the decision was
given. The Federation Board, as the authority dealing with the Joint
Committee, considered the question, and decided:
That in the opinion of this Board the protest entered by the owners'
side of the Joint Committee on January 15th, 1904, is entirely in
opposition to the tenth rule of the Joint Committee constitution, and
that whatever stoppage there may be in the proceedings of that Board
the blame rests only with them. And further, we protest against the
refusal of the owners to meet the other sections of the Board, as in
our opinion it is in violation of all past procedure, and cannot
conduce to the harmonious relation between the Employers' and
Workmen's Associations; and we hope that, whether the difference
between the miners and employers be settled or not, no objection will
be raised to the business of the other sections being proceeded with.
In the opinion of the Federation Board there was something lying
behind the objection to the decision. "If," said they, "that was the
sole cause for the suspension, why not go on with the other sections?"
They felt (rightly or wrongly) that the main objection was against the
chairman. It was time for the appointment or reappointment of the
chairman, and by the refusal of the owners to reappoint Judge O'Connor
the Board was strengthened in their opinion that it was the man--more
than the single decision--the objection was taken to. The secretary
received a letter from Mr Guthrie asking the Board to meet for the
purpose of appointing a chairman, and he was instructed to say they
were ready to meet at any time convenient to the owners. That reply
was repeated again on April 6th. The business was suspended from
January 15th until July 4th, when it was resumed, the chairman being
appointed _pro tem_. until the appointment of Colonel Blake, who
occupied the position for the first time on October 31st.
CONCILIATION BOARD
A mention of this is made here because of a unique circumstance which
arose at the August meeting of the Board. The ascertainment showed a
fall in price sufficient to warrant a reduction of one and a quarter
per cent. The Federation Board objected to it. Then the employers
asked for the umpire to be called in, and requested it should be done
as speedily as possible. There was a difficulty in the way. Mr Wilson
was arranging to go to America, and had paid an instalment of his
passage money. Either he must forfeit the money he had paid or the
meeting must be delayed. In their circular for November the Federation
Board placed the following statement of the case:--
Neither of these alternatives was acceptable, and in order to meet
the situation the following resolution was submitted by the owners
and accepted by us:--
In order to meet the convenience of Mr
Wilson it is agreed that consideration of the
claim for a reduction of wages be postponed
until the meeting of the Board in November,
when Lord Davey shall be invited to attend
and, failing agreement, to decide on the claim
after consideration of the information which
may then be put before him as to the state of
trade, a preliminary meeting of the Board to
be held on October 29th, in order if possible
to effect a settlement without the intervention
of the umpire.
In harmony with that resolution we met on the 29th of October. There
were two courses open to us, as you will see: either we must consider
the circumstances warranted the reduction asked for, or on the 5th of
November--which is the date of the ordinary quarterly meeting--meet
the umpire. One thing more let us point out: on the 24th of October
we received the accountants' ascertainment for the quarter ending
September, which showed a further fall in the realised selling price
of coal. You will easily perceive the force of the situation which he
had to meet. Let us enumerate the circumstances. In August the
employers claimed a reduction on the result of the ascertainment then
obtained. Although they were (as they said) convinced of the validity
of their claim, we have kept the higher wage for three months, and
you will know how much that means to us as a county, with our large
wage fund and the thousands of men and boys employed. Furthermore,
there had been another fall in price. If we had gone to the umpire
these facts faced us. These facts were fully considered, and the
probabilities of the case carefully investigated, and we were
convinced that the course most conducive to the best interest of
those we represent was the acceptance of the one and a quarter per
cent. reduction, and we are as fully convinced that the action will
carry your general approval.
As is seen by the circular, a settlement was made without the umpire.
Lord Davey was informed, and replied as follows:--
86 Brook Street, W.,
_October 30, 1904._
Dear Sirs,--I deplore the existence of the circumstances which have
admittedly rendered some reduction of wages necessary. But I
congratulate both parties on having been able to settle the question
themselves by amicable discussion without the intervention of a third
party. Nothing affords me greater pleasure than to hear that they
have done so. I say this not from any desire to spare myself any
trouble in your service, but because it is the best earnest for
future harmony and co-operation in which the joint claims both of
capital and of labour will be recognised.--I am, dear sirs, yours
very faithfully,
DAVEY.
The Joint Secretaries,
Durham Board of Conciliation.
THE FILLERS' AGREEMENT
With this notice we will conclude our history. For some time there had
been a gradual introduction of "Mechanical Coal Cutters," and it was
necessary that an arrangement should be made for a new class of
workmen known as "Fillers," whose work consisted solely of filling the
coals after they had been got down. One main feature had obtained from
the commencement in the policy of the Association--viz. the permission
to the employers to work the mines as they thought proper (consistent
with the safety of the workmen), providing the workmen were paid a
recognised wage; and second, no objection was ever raised to the
introduction of new machinery, if regard were had to safety and wage.
When these machines were brought in their utility was recognised. It
was seen they were to ease the heaviest portion of the hewers' work,
and the attention was turned to the two considerations named. After
many meetings and much negotiation the following agreement was
made:--
Agreement made this day, 26th day of November 1904, between the
Durham Coal Owners' and Durham Miners' Association:--
1. That the standard basis piece rate of wages for "Fillers" who
follow mechanical coal cutters shall be four shillings and sixpence
per shift, and that the length of shift shall be eight hours from
bank to bank, except on Saturdays, when it shall be less in
proportion to the reduced coal-drawing hours on that day at the
respective collieries.
2. That the above standard piece rate shall be the basis for Joint
Committee purposes, or for the purpose of any adjustment of "filling"
prices, either as to advance, reduction, or revision thereof as the
case may be, provided that each one and a quarter per cent. advance
or reduction in the county percentage shall be held for Joint
Committee purposes to vary the wages of "Fillers" by three farthings
per shift.
3. That the duties of "Fillers" shall be held to embrace, according
to the requirements of the management of the particular colliery
concerned, breaking up, casting, and filling (into such receptacle as
may be provided by the said management) coal kirved by mechanical
coal cutters; the squaring of the coal face so as to leave it
straight and perpendicular; the picking out and casting back under an
agreed "laid-out" penalty of all material which the hewers are
expected to pick out at the respective collieries; timbering in the
absence of the deputy and according to the special and timbering
rules; preparing the face and leaving it clean and free for the
subsequent operations of the coal cutter.
4. That the "Fillers" shall be included among the classes of men
entitled to free houses or the customary allowance for house rent
under the conditions of the Conciliation Board resolution of
November 5th, 1900, regarding "Houses and House Rent."
For the Durham Coal Owners' Association,
REGINALD GUTHRIE.
For the Durham Miners' Association,
JOHN WILSON.
The noticeable features in the agreement are--first, the wages, which
are 4d. per day (as a basis wage) higher than those of the coal
getter, the hours being eight from bank to bank; second, the
percentage is regulated as it is for the hewers, five per cent. in
price meaning 3d. per day in wages; third, the duties they are called
upon to perform are plainly set forth; and fourth, they are entitled
to free houses or the customary allowance for rent as the other
acknowledged classes.
* * * * *
_P.S._--Inadvertently the death of Mr Meynell, chairman of the Joint
Committee, and the appointment of Judge O'Connor to that office has
been omitted and this _P.S._ supplies the omission. The last meeting
at which Mr Meynell presided was held on December 14th, 1900. The
first under the presidency of Mr O'Connor was on April 9th, 1901; the
chair in the _interim_ being filled _pro tem_.
AFTER WORDS
The Lawyers--The Changes
We leave the history of the organisation for the time being, but
before closing the volume, it would leave a vacuum if there were not
some mention (even if it were little) of the legal advisers who have
been connected with the Association, and have helped it in the
questions of law which from time to time are inevitable in such a
large organisation. The first regular lawyer was Mr "Harry" Marshall,
the leading solicitor in the city of Durham. He was well on in life
when the Association was founded, but he was retained until the time
of his death. His offices were in the Market Place, Durham. He was
followed by Mr H. Forrest, who was heir to the business and offices of
Mr Marshall, and by a natural sequence the legal matters of the
organisation fell into his practice; but they did not remain there
long. Gradually Mr I. Isaacs of Sunderland was called in, until
finally he was appointed officially to the position. In Mr Isaacs the
Association had a very skilful and painstaking adviser, and a
gentleman who stood well with the magistrates in every district in the
county. He died a young man, but he had attained to a position which
was one of the envied positions by the whole of the legal gentlemen in
the county. He was made clerk to the Castle Eden magistrates, but,
unfortunately, died shortly after; in fact, before he had rightly
taken over his duties. He was a man of the highest type, a Jew by
religion, upright in all his dealings. The standard he lived up to was
high enough for all to aim at.
[Illustration: H. F. HEATH]
To keep the succession complete we may insert here a notice of his
successor, Mr H. F. Heath. He was in Mr Isaacs' office until a very
short time prior to the decease of the latter, and from the time of
his appointment has proved himself a reliable guide. His advice is
given for the good of the Association, and not on the low ground of
personal profit. He is as skilful in the stating of a case, or
detecting the weak places in the position of his opponents, as he is
versed in law. Having to deal with mining matters he has made himself
thoroughly acquainted with the technicalities of the mine, and is most
desirous for the success of the business which is placed in his hands.
No member of the Durham Miners' Association has more regard to its
welfare and prosperity than has the miners' solicitor and advocate.
CHANGES
Within the period of our associated life there have been many changes,
a few of which we may with profit enumerate. The "Yearly Bond" has
been dealt with as one of the first actions of the Associations. It
was considered a species of slavery, and a remnant of the old feudal
times when men were part of the estate. We need not dwell further upon
it nor its abolition.