The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-23

Col T. c. Bush explain the operators proposition Colonel Bush then arose and said in part:
 Colonel Bush's Speech.
 MT. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
 Conventions
 sI did not come here this morning ex- peeting to make a speech on any sub jeet In truth l think the other operators rather expected that our time this morn ing would be filled np listening to Presi- dent Mitchell. whom we expected would come. according to the announcements in the newspapers. I want to say, as Mr. Falrley has stated, that 1t is a dsap- pointment that he is not here. Mir Mitch ell is well and favorably known through out this land, and I am sure not only the operators but the people of Birming- ham would be more than glad to have heard from him on any subject pertaining to the interests of the country, and min ing in particular.
 T will not say much because l have not much to say. l do not know why they singled me out. They say we are all sinners, but I must be the greatest sim ner because I must say why this thing was proposed. I am certainly going to be in a good humor; I am sure I can. Now. gentlemen, 1 suppose that the time will never come when we will get together and the two sides make proposition that is wholly acceptable to both. I do not expect to see that this side of heaven we may agree on all these things when we get there-I hope we will. It is a business proposition and only a busl- ness proposition"
 Operators and Miners.
 Colonel Bush then went on to say that the coal operators and the iron men had to carry on their business in certain way, but that it could not be carried on without the assistance of the miners and that If the business was carried on 1t must be by coming to a mutual under standing and agreement that will be sat- isfactory. Tt has never been customary" said Colonel Bush, flor a business man to declare all his troubles to the world and even If he Is making nothing, to tell the world about 1t. If he did his credit would be affected. Now, I don't think this propo- sition we have made is so extraordinary, for this reason: l agree with MT. Farley in this, that 1 hope the time will never come in Alabama when coal will have to be dug at 37A cents. 1 believe 1t means depression that is killing, but you will understand one thing, that what has hap pened once can happen again. Coal would never have been dug at 37h cents per ton on the Pratt basis if it had not been an absolute necessity, and these iron men know and coal men know when 1t was dug at that price 1t was the first time they ever had such an experience in their business.
 MT. aFirley had stated that iron has gone down from $2O to $15.50. He has used No. l foundy iron as a basis. If you know anything about the iron business, you will know that that grade of iron IS never considered as there is practically very little of it made The basis Of No 2 foundry iron is not the basis upon which to consider the market, but No IS the average or about the average, and furn- ace that makes an average of foundry all the year around Is doing remarkably well. No. foundry iron would be on that basis S1A. 50, but I would like to say to you confidentially that 1t cannot be sold at $1450 today.
 Now, if MT. Fairley wants to take contract, l will guarantee to get him up purse of siOO.O0O if he will secure N4.0o for foundry iron on that basis the pal ance of the year.
 Col. Bush then stated that there was not A furnace in Alabama or In the south that could show from July to July that they got si5 for No. 8 foundry iron, and pointed out that if iron had declined % or S5, 1t was possible for it to decline more, and that if 1t never got to these very low prices the miners would never have to mine coal for 371k cents. He fur ther stated that there was nothing in the agreement presented by the operators that was unreasonable or unfair to any man who wants to do what Is right and called attention to the fact that there was noth- inc contained in the operators proposi- tion not contained in the agreement be- twaen other states and the miners.
 The Propositions.
 Continuing, Col. Bush said: You will notice this, gentlemen, that MT Fairiey devoted his entire time to sating why the proposition of the operators was un- fair and unreasonable, and did not even state that his was fair. Consequently, l do not think he expects to get it. do moi believe he has any idea of getting it, and he Is too truthful man to get up here and say he expects to get It, De- cause he does not
 Colonel Bush went on to explain thae this sliding scale was made for purpose and that 1t was brought about by con- a,tions that were reasonable at the tune and proper. and that when conditions ap- solutely required a change within certain limits it could be done by common con sent without a contract; that is, when inc operator or iron producer was mak- inc less. the coal miner was willing to | take less down to q certain given point, and that If iron alone was used as basis of pricing coal there would be no lt,tr af nW