The age-herald., 1900-08-05
THE STRONGHOLD OF UNION LABOR
Trades Council the Representa-
 tive District Assembly.
sAs~s ~~We CONSERVATISM DOMINATES
Relations Between Wage Earners and Employers Are Amicable- Movement to Organizs State Federation-The
 United Mine Workers Society

As the hub of industrial Alabama, Birm- ingham is naturally the stronghold of or ganzed labor the most prominent organ ization at present being the Birmingham Trades Council, the district assembly made up of the many locals, representing every organized craft in the district.
 movement Is now on foot to further broaden and extend the scope of unionism by the organization of a State Federation which is meeting with the hearty ,co- opera ton of labor leaders in all sections of the State. It is proposed to establish perman- ent headquarters in Birmingham and to affiliate every central and independent la bor body in Alabama, this organization in turn to be affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
 The officers of the various labor organ izations of the district are conservative men, who enjoy the highest esteem and con fidence of the business interests, especially of the men engaged in industrial pursuits and who constitute the class commonly known as employers"
 It is doubtful if in any district in the United States, the relations between capital and labor are more amicabe, and the infrequency of strikes and labor trou- bles Is the strongest evidence of the con- servatism of both interests.
 The Trades Council was organized in 1889 and has lived to see unionism grow from seeding to a strong oak, whose cooling shade protects the district from the search ing rays of dissatisfaction and turmoil, as well as from unskiiled workmen and alleged artisans, who ever stand ready to tear down the structure which has been reared by the energy and perseverance of the men who have devoted their lives to the solution of the labor problems.
 The. Trades Council Is a representative body, the governing power being vested in the delegates, who, according to numerical strength, represent the various locals Semi-monthly meetings are held which are usually well attended, and many in teresting and important questions are often given consideration. The officers are elect ed by popular ballot semi-annually, the last election held some weeks ago result ing as follows
 Presdent-F. J. Williams of the Amalga- mated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers
 Vice President-w. B. Harris of the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers
 Recording Secretary-Davl Williams of the AmalRamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers.
 Treasurer-Harry White of the Retail Clerks Association.
 Sergeant at-Arms-J. H. McCabe of the Herseshoers Union.
 .Doorkeeper-John Vollmers of the Bar -bers Union.
 Trustees-Miss Lula Rockett of the Gar ment Workers Union; Al Harris of the Tin Workers; F. Judge of the Carpen- ters' Union.
 United Mine Workers
 Perhaps the strongest independent organ ization in the district is Alabama District No. 2O of the United Mine Workers of America which controls the coal miners of Alabama, through the national organ ization. The district, which is one of the strongest in the country, is represented on the national board by w. R. Fairley of Pratt City, former president of the dis trict organization, who has proven himself to be man of exceptionally strong ability and whose influence is almost limitless within the organization.
 George w. Young of Blocton is president of the district organization, with J. l.. Clemo of Adger, secretary and treasurer. The national organization of the United Mine Workers of America was organized . in 1850. The largest local in the United States is located at Pratt City, in the Alabama district. The district organiza- tion has an executive board and an audit ing committee. The latter meets at regular seasons and audits the books of the sec retary and treasurer. The organization Is in good shape financially and otherwise, and more members are being received reg ularly.
 There are in the organization in the State more than 5000 miners. The organization covers Jefferson, Blount, Walker, St. Clair, Tuscaloosa Bibb, Shelby and Marion Coun- ties The miners have a scale or agree mcnt with the various companies, which at present Is giving them higher wages than have been enoyed in several years. The maximum price for coal mining is being paid The contract bases the price of min ing on pig iron quotations.
 Knights of Labor
 The Knights of Labor have State or district organization, with headquarters at Birmingham. Andrew J. O'Keefe is the dis trict master workman and he is also member of the national executive board of the organization The Knights of Labor have membership at the coal mines, ore mines. and in some of the other industries fin the State District Master Workman O'Keefe is quite active in the interest of the organization. Meetings are held by the district executive committee every three months, and annual meetings are held by the State organization. "The Arbitra- tor' is the official publication of the or ganization. It is issued by A J. Okeefe, the district master workman.
 Census Figures
 Washington Correspondence of the Chicago