The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-30

ness affliets their families they get medical aid from the city of Birming- ham, notwithstanding the fact that they are compelled to pay this s1.
 As to Assessments.
 President Bacon will surely not claim that he has either legal or moral right to deduct this doctors salary, and especial ly when many of the forced subscribers will not accept his medical attention un- der any consideration.
 1 have been taught from my earliest boyhood that two things were sacred to all men. One is that no minister shall be forced upon me without my consent; the other Is that no physician shall en- ter my house without my consent So that if President Bacon has not the legal and moral right to collect the assess ment for the anthracite miners, their wives and children. he has not the right to deduct the doctors subscriptions.
 Some companies in this state do not hesitate to compel men to pay insurance company assessments; the reason why is obvious. It is evident to me the greater legal or moral right Is not considered If it is to the interest of the operators to set 1t aside. Doctors and insurance com panies may be commendable things, but the miner has a moral right to say whether or not he desires insurance or 1Rii1NAAAAsAt equally as good from legal standpoint. However 1t seems that President Bacon must be the judge whether the men must pay to doctor or insurance company, or whether he shall or shall not.
 We make this statement so that the public may have the true facts of this unfortunate dispute and 10 judge for themselves how consistent President Ba- con is in the premises.
 Cannot Agree.
 Tt is the first time in the history of the Alabama operators and miners they have been unable to adjust matter of this kind I would not have made this statement had it not been that mo- ticed from The Age-Herald of yesterday that Ned Brace had joined issue on be- half of the Tennessee company, and that before he knew the entire facts. We are just as well aware as Neb Brace that the Tennessee company are losing large amount of money in consequence of that stoppage of work at No. 3 Pratt City, and West Pratt We also know that the miners are also losing money through the unfortunate situation. but l ann afraid that the situation now existing at those mines will continue for some time to come, unless better counsel prevails than has been exhibited in the negotiations on this matter.
 "The state executive board will con vene in Birmingham on tomorrow Clues day) to consider this matter. l hope that their deliberations will be conducted with wisdom and also that President Ba- con will reconsider the inconsistent posi- ton he occupies in relation to the as- sessments for the anthracite miners, as compared with his others at the Adger mines at Blue Creek
 q always go into public press with reluctance and never do until am con- vinced that no further good can be &C., complished by silence. I have absolute faith in the justice and fairness of the American people and believe that when these facts are known that we may easily expect their favorable opinion.
 "W. R. FARLEY"
 Had Nothing to Say.
 President Bacon was asked yesterday evening just before he left his office if he had any statement in re>y to MT. Fairley. He said he had been too busy up to that time to read Mir Fairley's s l card, and therefore had nothing to say. l Yesterday operators discussed various | phases of the assessment issue, but none of them was willing to be interviewed.
 The United Mine Workers local at No. Pratt held a meeting last night MT. | Fairley, President Flynn of the Alabama | district and others made addresses, but the officials declined to make their pro- l ceedings public It is understood that there will be no change in the situation prior to the meeting of the executive board today.
 The Blossburg and Brookside miners employed by the Sloss- Sheffield company have been called to meet at Tunnell Thursday.