The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-20
OPERATORS MAKE
 STEADY PROGRESS MT. Maben Says 1900 Men
 Are at Work BUMPERS ARE CALLED OUT MT. FalrIey Feels That the Union IS Gaining Ground DaiIy-Rally and Barbecue Today at Wood
 wards Mines.
JUMPERS ARE CALLED OUT

The furnace operators report sieauy gains in the number of miners at work' President JIG. Maben of the sloss-shef- field company said last night;
 ''The operators are greatly encouraged at the progress they are making. This has been the brightest day from our point of view since the strike began. There are fully 1900 men at work in the furnace company mines and by Monday the number will probably reach 2ooo"
 Bumpers Called Out.
 On the union miners side today prom ises to be one of the strategical periods in the strike situation. The bumpers the engineers. firemen and other men that have been working in the mines since the strike was declared have been ordered out by the officials of the union.
 Today the miners will center all of their forces on Dolomite, the occasion being a rally and barbecue.
 The action of the miners in calling out the men that have necessarily been employed in the mines since July Is cons sidered a strong sign that the fight vii, be fought out to the bitter end.
 At all times previous to this, in case of suspension, 1t has always been the custom for the union to allow the pump CTS and other men who were engaged in repair work to stay in the mines, in order that everything might be in readiness when fba man rat,,rpad to x,arlr Vactar day all those members of the union who had been at work in the mines walked out. Unless the operators can replace the engineers and firemen by non-union men the mines will fill up with water. causing considerable inconvenience and expense. The operators sa.-, however, that the pumps will be kept at work.
 Mr. FairIey Talks.
 National Committeeman Fairley was seen at his home in Pratt City last night by an Age-Herald reporter. He was sit- ting on the southwestern porch of hls vine-clad cottage in his shirt sleeves try ing to get the benefit of the gentle breeze that was stirring. "The situation," he said. practically remains unchanged. colSiueT that we are gaming ground ually. Yesterday Vice President Greer and my self addressed meetings at Wylam and Adamsville and the men are remaining as firm as a stone wall" Tomorrow Presi- dent Flynn and myself will go to Dolo- mite, where we will address a meeting of the miners at that place."
 When asked about the action of the miners In calling out the pump men and other helpers at the mines, he said, These men are only called out at times when all hopes of peace have been aban- doned. The card of the operators declar- ing practically that they did not desire peace hastened of course the calling out of the pump men"
 Since Woodward has been made the fighting ground, the effect of the meet ing of the men there will be looked for ward to with much interest. Dolomite mine Is the only place that operators have been able, so far. to successfully combat the union. It is stated that over 200 most of whom were former union men, are at work. The men who remained loyal to the union arranged for the rally today