The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-06-29

need say more than this; that the condi-
tions IN Alabama are not what Colonel
Pearson paints them. We are working
The longest hours of any state In the
union; we have got a monthly pay roll
When the miners In the North and III
portions of the South have an eight-hour
day at very much higher wages than
you pay hero for the longer hours. They
have a semi-monthiy pay in the North;
they have day scale OF from s1.22 to
81 .25; and yet you tell us that the con-
ditions in Alabama are better than they
are there
As to Responsibility.
Then you say that II a strike IL en-
tered into, that the responsibility will
rest upon the shoulders of the United
Mine Workers OF America; that the
miners brought In a scale that they never
expected to have granted. I don't know
where you got your information from, but
assuming that 1t is correct have the op-
orators ever offered a compromise OF any
kind? 1t is evident that they came here
with the intention OF holding the fort,
and they believe that the miners will ac-
cept the proposition they Drought IN
that they have become effeminite; will
not assert their manhood and dare not
strike We don't want to strike any more
than you. l want 10 say that IL you have
had as many of them as have, you don't
want any at an. II there is any state in
the Union that / would go as far In the
matter of a compromise, II is FOR Ala
bama. 1 would Go 1t because live here
this Is my home. When you como here
and claim you will not recede from your
position. and 1 claim that your position
is untenable, then there Is nothing more
for US to do but go into the field and
fight for 1t. This state mas had eight
yesrs of perfect peace 1t has progressed
. possibly es much as Eny other state in
the Union. In ten years the output of the
state has been about doubled. That would
seem to indicate that the operators have
had some prosperity, or they would not
enlarge the output to that extent. The
miners have had better wages. viii ac-
knowledge. but tho CO nditions have not
been better at all.
Tho operators simply say as the
motto of the state says: We have gone
so far, we must rest tell you. gentle,
men, and / say 1t seriously, no man in
this convention will deplore q strike
more than !. Strikes are not pleasant
things to contemplate, much less to enter
into; but II the operators have said their
last word, then there is nothing left for
Us. gentlemen. but to go out or the first
of July and see II we can't accomplish
something by that method. simply want
to disabuse your minds on one thing.
President Flynn probably said enough
on that line. That is, II you have been
taking the sweet JUNCTION to your soul
that we will not strike you were never
worse fooled in your lives. for tell you
this matter has been considered Just as
seriously on this side of the house as on
yours. We had hoped that when you
considered the selling price of your prod
uct that you would be willing to avoid
afp N ha
miners obtain hat which Is best for an
other Jeer; but II seems you have got a
fool notion in your head because we have
had eight years of peace ] tell You seri-
ously. gentlemen. hat IL you have said
your last word that we will all have to
go home and do the best we can for our
selves.
II hope. II a strike does take place. that
we will conduct 1t like gentlemen. / hope
we will try to behave ourselves on each
side of the house, and that the operators
will do likewise, and that when the war
is over we can meet again like gentlemen
and make terms Of peace that will be
acceptable to both sides of this contro-
versy. / am afraid that we are up against
1t on the first Of July. and we will 30 act
accordingly"
What Is the pleasure of the conven-
tionT' asked the chairman.
Mr.. Chairman saio Mr.. T. H. Aid
rich. Il move that this convention now
adjourn. II there is anything further
that comes up that either side wants to
discuss. the president of the operators
convention and the president Of your con-
venton can arrange for It,"
Mr.. w. r. Farley was again recognized
by the chair and said: Before that
motion is put, desire to notify any OPP
orators who are not in the operators
association. that we are ready to figure
with them on the line of the scale"
The convention adjourned sine die.
Prominent members of the operators
and mine workers are still exceedingly
rettcent in giving any information as to
the next move. Both sides claim that
they have done their very best and that
the matter is up to the opposition. 1t is
said that the action of the convention In
adjournment yesterday without the scale
being signed. Is equivalent to a notihca-
ton to the operators that the miners will
strike when the present scale expires,
which is July 1; or. TO use the express
sion OF a leading mine worker: Don't
call 1t strike exactly, but simply say
we will quit on July l." The operators
strongly repeat their statement that they
have offered their very best proposition
that they have offered everything that
they could conscientiousiy offer.
President Flynn, Mr.. w. r. Farley and
other prominent members Of the United
Mine Workers spent the afternoon in
mine workers. headquarters In the Chali-
foux building. They stated that they
had nothing new to give out, and that
any advances or offers Of concessions or
compromise would have to oome from the
operators. II is thought by many persons
who have been watching the proceedings
Of the joint convention closely that be-
fore the last OF July. II not sooner. the
miners will all be az work again.