The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-08-16

color The white checks, however, could
not be used in trading at the stores;
they were bought up by the company at
Is per cent discount, which was about
what they thought they ought to make as
a fair profit in the commissaries These
checks were brought into use in order
to establish a uniform rate of discount
for the benefit of the men who would
sell their checks under any cfrcum-
stances and so prevent their being forced
to accept greater discounts as before
the white check system prevailed the
men were selling their checks at any old
price from Is to 40 per cent discount.
The blue checks were always good at
the stores.
Walker County Competitors.
Mr.. Percy said that the commercial OPP
orators In this district were obliged to
compete with the mines In Walker coun-
ty, which were non-union. That the OPP
orators In Walker county would not have
their mines unionized and were running
the organizers Of the union out at the
point of the shot gun. One case Of the
kind had occurred within the week Mr.
Percy did not endorse this kind of thing,
but he said he merely stated fact.
Mr. Percy stated that the thrifty
others that had testified on the stand
that they bought checks were opposed
to the doing away with the check sys-
TEN, and on the other hand the inn
provident miners who wanted money to
shoot craps were united in opposing tho
abolition of the check system. The i'm
provident ones because they wanted
money and the thrifty ones because they
wished to be able to take advantage of
the opportunity to get their supplies at
a discount.
Adam Pow, who was present and had
been referred to, stated that he voiced
his own sentiments and those of other
thrifty miners when he said they were
opposed to the check system. In con-
cusion Mr. Percy said that he could say.
speaking for his company that they
would very much prefer to do away with
all traffic In checks, and issue only one
kind of store check that should be nom
negotiable. Judge Gray said that he had
no doubt that what Mr.. Percy stated was
true
Judge Gray Again Speaks.
Judge Gray spoke at considerable
length ON the evils of the pay check
system and said that he believed that
the pernicious effects of its abuse must
be far reaching IN the community. and
If there was any chance of breaking IL
up or mitigating the evil by establish
ing a semi-monthly pay day. he thought
that 1t would be worth at least a trial.
He stated. however. that should the COM
mission decide on a two-weeks pay day
he would only favor 1t on the distinct
understanding that there should be no
transferable or negotiable pay -chacks.
There was a lengthy and lively tilt
In which Mr. Farley. Mr. Lewis, Mr..
Percy and Mr. Flynn all took part with
occasional interjectory remarks by Judge
Gray.
The recess hour having come the COM
mission adjourned until 1880
Mr.. Adams Answers.
Mr.. Adams said in answer to questions
by Mr.. Farley;
We have two OF the best hosting en-
gines in the state. We pull up seventy
cars a distance OF $500 or 1900 feet. The
depth of the slope Is 1900 feet. We could
not safely increase the rapidity Of the
engines. Mr.. Gus Lee Is the storekeeper.
Mr.. Tyler is the purchasing agent for
the company. Mr.. Lee is only an employe.
We have eighteen inches of slate out
Of seventy-four inches.
Mr.. Strong, who Is superintendent a.
Sayreton, made a statement regarding
penalties for different numbers Of cars
Of slate in the coal. This penalty is to
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