The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-20
AUGURS WELL FOR FUTURE
Will Have Measurable Mem
 0rieS of Alabama.
Taking of Evidence is Completed Board will Probably Make it's Award Frie.y--In Exscu-
 tive Session.

Birmingham, Aug. Especial. )-The Board of Arbitration, considering the diff ferences between operators and miners in this State. today before o'clock had re- Geived all the testimony which the two sides had to present. Before adjournment was taken, Judge Gray delivered the fol- lowing address:
 sGentlemen, we are about to adjourn without day. and I take occasion before adjourning to say on behalf of the ar- bitfators that we desire to express to you on both sides, to the representatives on both sides Jour thas.as and appreciation of the ability, thoroughness and courtesy with which you have represented and pre- scented your several sides of this eontro- versy. A controversy that Is conducted in such manner. candidly, openly and pub licly. is a pleasure to hear. may say for myself, stranger to your community, coming from somewhat distant State. that have been very much impressed by the intelligence and the good feeling with which you conduct your business, the business with which we are all con- cerned here in this State and in this part of the State. am very much pleased to find, as think have found, the cor dial relations existing between employer and employed, or, at least, the relations which speak for honesty and candor on both sides. I think 1t argurs well not only for present conditions, but for the future of this great industry in this State. and for the intelligence and man hood of self-respect of its citizens, and part from you, gentlemen, with feelings of regret. and with the assurance that will have very pleasurable remembrances of my sojourn here among you"
 The Board consisting of Judge George Gray, chairman; R. H. Pearson and Charles Mccreary, for the operators. and T. l.. Lewis and W. R. Fairley for the miners, held their first executive session this afternoon in their suite of rooms at the Hillman Hotel. Another session was held tonight. The Board will meet three times day, mornings, afternoons and nights, alntfl-~the -award has been pre- pared. 1t Is believed that the award will be ready to be given out Friday evening or Saturday morning Both sides feel confident that they will get the better of the award.
 Ths morning the miners placed several witnesses on the stand in rebuttal to tes- timony brought out by the operators. The miners told of their earnings in the mines and the trouble experienced at the various places. The testimony offered by James Orange, check weighman at the Sayrcton mines, Republic Iron and Steel Company, was quite heated. In 1900. he was mining coal in a room and was one of the most active men in the union at the place. He was considered by the superintendent at the place because of his connection with the union and taking leading part as a disagreeable man about the mines. The superintendent, for the purpose of getting rid of this man, had his coal watched as it came from the mines in order to secure enough dirt therein to bring about his discharge. Orange and friends knew of this intention and his coal was cleaned well before it was sent out. Superintend- ent Strong stated that that was the meth cd pursued because the United Mine Workers of America gave no other ave- nue for discharging men. Judge Gray requested that the testimony be dropped as the points did not throw any light on the subjects upffor arbitration.
 The attendance at the closing of the open sessions of the case was very large and everybody appeared to be very much interested. The sessions of the Board in working on the award will be executive throughout.