The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-18
State GonVictS and County C0n
 Vicis Worked Separately
BIDS FOR COAL ON. CARS
Time of Putting In Bids Is Postponed Until Wednesday-State Asks That Two Sets of Bids
 Be Made.

The coal operators who desire to bid for state convicts for mining by con tract at so much per ton were surprised and somewhat confused by the announce ment from Montgomery that the board of convict inspectors had decided to ask for bids on a proposal which would prac- tically exclude the county convicts from the mines of such operators as employed state convicts.
 When the operators left Montgomery Saturday the plan agreed upon by the governor and board called TOT bids for coal delivered at the mouth of the room.
 On yesterday the authorities promul- gifted an additional or optional plan which provided for weighing the states coal, and which separated more than ever the county and state prisoners.
 The conditions of the plan announced yesterday were substantially the same as those in the tentative plan discussed Saturday morning.
 Bids are to be In the hands of the board tomorrow instead of today, and as was at first provided.
 VIII Make Bids.
 Walker Percy. attorney for the Ten nessee Coal, Iron and railroad company, said last night that his company would submit a bid. President J. c. Mablen of the Sloss-Sheffield said that his company would have bid ready Wednesday.
 Erslxine Ramsay said that the Pratt Coal company, in which he was interest ed had already submitted bid. Mir. Ramsay said that as far as he could learn, several companies would put in bids.
 President Maben of the Sloss-sheffield said iast night that he did not think many operators would Ibid seriously
 An official of the Corona Coal and Iron company said yesterday that his concern was in nowise interested in the convict labor agitation, but that he would stake his reputation on a guess: The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company and the Sloss- Sheffield company, the two companies that now employ convcts, would get them on three or f1ye-year contract
 Mir. Percy MT. Maben, MT. Ramsay and others will visit Montgomery Wednes- day so as to be ready to answer any questions propounded by the governor.
 Private advices from member of the board of convict inspectors have been received by a coal operator 10 the effect that none of the bids for convict coal will be passed upon before November 25. A representative of the Sloss-Sheffield company was asked if his company would not be willing to take care of the state convicts at Flat Top for three months or more after the present lease expired, in the event that the company failed to get the convicts under the new plan. His reply was: "If our company happens not to be successful bidders, 1t would have the right to turn the convicts loose on Midnight, December 31.-It would hardly do this, however. but the state could not expect the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company on the Sloss- Sheffield company to keep the convicts until competing operators had built stockades, which would require several months.
 The following special was received by The Age-Herald last night:
 Montgomery, November 17.-(Special.>- The time at which bids are to be in for the use of conyicts in the mining of coal has been postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday of this week. This was done in order that the possible bidders might have time to consider another proposal which the state has submitted. The chief difference be- tween the additional proposal and the one submitted Saturday relates to the place at which the coal to be delivered. Bids are invited on both propositions, but the state will have the advantage of two sets of bids from which 1t can select the scheme of mining which appears most advantageous. Under the first, the coal is to be delivered at the mouth of the room, and under the second will be loaded on the railroad cars.
 Another difference is that under the first county and state convicts may be worked in the same mine, but kept sepa- rate in their quarters. Under the second at all.
 The Proposal.
 The second proposal is as follows
 In addition to bids on the first proposi- tion presented to coal operators on last Saturday, the authorities ask for other bids under a second proposal which said bids will be opened at the same time with bids under said first proposition, to-wit, at noon of Wednesday next.
 The conditions of the second proposal are furnished herewith:
 Conditions of Second Proposal: Bid or