The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-09
FARLEY SHARPLY
 REPLIES ID MABEN
Seems to Resent the Reference
 to West Virginia
MABEN MISUNDERSTOOD
Says He Referred to West Virginia as Evidence That He Had Been Through Strikes 6efore-ee-
 lieves in Union Labor.

William R. Fairley of the United Mine Workers of America gave out the follow ing statement yesterday morning:
 .It is evident from the statements of President Maben relating to convict labor and West Virginia that his desire is to bring about in Alabama conditions that prevail in West Virginia, forgetting the fact that no organization exists in the district in West Virginia that he refers to, and l presume that conditions in Ala bama among the organized miners are not at all to his taste. But desire to re- mind him that the Alabama miners will be different material to deal with to that which he met in West Virginia Since the suspension of work took place l have had no desire to rush Into print, believing that the relations between the operators and ourselves were not sufficiently strained to air our differences in the pulp lie press. However, he has thought other wise, and he boasts so much of what he is going to do with the United Mine Workers of America it may be proper to say we are trying to get into the ark so that we can safely ride the storm when he turns on the deluge.
 As to the Utmatum.
 '1n carefully considering his statement, where he says the Sloss-Sheffield com pany says if the miners do not promptly accept the proposition of two and half cents per ton as offered by the operators that the Sheffield company will withdraw the proposition, we presume MT. Maben would have no difficulty in ob- tainlng the permission of the other ope- rators to withdraw the offer of his com pany. The Mine Workers will offer no objection, so that he will not be included in any general settlement. if one is made, and he can. then take such action to make an individual settlement. or otherwise, as he may desire.
 This course of action on his part will not disturb the present kindly relations between the organization and other com panies or the final negotiations for peaceful settlement. which is so much to be desired by all parties"
 When the statement of Mir. Fairley was shown to President ]. C. Maben of the Sloss- Sheffield company, he said:
 MT. Maben Talks.
 ''I could not at first understand what MT. Fairley was driving at, as have not in any conversation or interview made any reference to convict labor. The only statement have made was published in the Age-Herald of today, wherein l was correctly quoted. The word convict was not used, nor any reference to Flat Top made. What wished to emphasize in the interview referred to, which is the only interview on the subject that l have had with anyone, is that the operators have in their offer, gone to the full extent to which I feel that it is possible to with safety.
 Since the joint conference adjourned several gentlemen representing companies which, to say the least. are not the smallest in tho district have been to me and urged that as the miners did not ac- cept the offer of 21s cents. which was made in good faith and was the best the operators could make That 1t would be well to withdraw the offer and endeavor to start up without regard to the union; but I told them that Mir Fairley had gone to confer with John Mitchell, and that it was only just to await his return. when hoped the miners would realize that the operators proposition was a fair one, and would accept it.
 My reference to the West Virginia strike was simply to emphasize the fact that l had already been through the strike experience. and that in West Vlr- glnia, forcing the issue had resulted in the destruction of the union.
 Has Always Favored Unions.
 MT. Maben further said: q am and al- ways have been in favor of unionism, as MT. Fairlcy knows. I think it much more satisfactory to deal with an or ganized body of men, well officered, than with a number of individual workmen.
 "I do not wish to withdraw single word which I have uttered, but insist that I be correctly quoted.
 q hope the miners Will soon come to settlement with the operators. but un- less a settlement is arrived at speedily the operators offer will probably be with drawn by several companies of impor- tance in the district. The situation as 1t is at present cannot be allowed to con- tinue indefinitely.
 Makes a Denial.
 "As to the statement made in an alleged interview with me, I deny that l ever made any statement to the effect that I would refuse to go to another joint con venton. What l did say, and what I will adhere to- is that l will not con- sent to take part in another joint con- ference at this time the avowed purpose of which Is to discuss any proposition in excess of that already made by the op- erators."