The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-09-11

or more handsome cottage homes for the
new influx OF miners they expect soon.
The pay rolls of that company at Pratt
now seem to be alone for carpenters and
brickmasons.
Short Greek Peaceful.
A visit to the Short Creek mines of
the Iutwiler company, twenty miles
south of Ensley, diseloses quiet conditions
there Most of the striking white miners
at that point are natives of Jefferson
county, born and reared on the little
farms within a short distance of the
mines. These men are striklngly conserv-
atlVe IN their expressions. They are not
miners by force Of circumstances hut are
quite firm in their loyalty to the union.
Ihey have their own farm homes and
Just now are drawing their weekly ra-
lions from the United Mine Workers
organization and basking in the sunshine
OF their homes, awaiting the turn of af-
fairs They enjoy apparently. perfect in
dependence.
At these mines there seems to be about
one-third the usual force at work, most
of which is colored. The coke ovens are
in blast and the machinery moving
smoothly Perfect order seems to prevail
and no trouble is feared
What the Outcome.
From present conditions as above stated
the reader must form his own conclusion
as to what the days may bring forth
in this coal strike; but at the same time
he must take into consideration the fact
that there are two strong sides in the
contest. How long will 1t last? is the
question uppermost in the public mind.
The United Mine Workers is an organ
ization strong in numbers and in purpose.
During the great strike In the anthracite
. region of Pennsylvania two years ago
10000 men were fed for six months from
the treasury of this organization, and
these Alabama miners paid their quota.
There are only about 5000 union miners
involved in this Alabama strike, and
elsewhere there is peace, order and work.
therefore no dependents. 1t Is not hard
| matter to feed and clothe this $780, with
so many to help.
Once every week rations abundant are
given out to every man who Is loyal to
the unien and they are promised that they
shall be clothed and housed in winter.
They do not seem to fear hunger or cold,
and many of them are not averse to idle
ness in such cause.
Strong Corporations.
On the other side stand great corpora
| lions. They have millions of money at
their command and declare they cannot
| yield to the mandates OF the union miners
and preserve their property rights; there
fore they say that they prefer loss this
way to loss under the dictates of the
union. The spirit of compromise seems
not to be in evidence on either side, and
this would seem to indicate a fight to the
finish.
VIII violence result from such a con-
fiict? Is question often asked.
| lie NioIenc. prohahia9
With 5000 men engaged in a contest like
this, which means many waiting, impa-
tient, idle moments, 1t would not be UNI
natural that among that number there
should be some unwise, careless, indif.
ferent and vicious enough to attack the
persons and property of those who appear
In conflict with them; and the fact thai
depredations have already occurred, three
men have been killed and a number Sc
verely chastised would Indicate the ur.
gent necessity for watchful care and fol
an exercise of conservatism by those whit
love peace and who understand that mer
can differ without resort to violence.
Prominent leaders like Farley, Flynn
and others say they will not give coun
tenance to lawlessness, and they are pub
licly urging an exercise of wisdom ant
peaceful methods ON the part of thos,
who are engaged In this strike.
} When VIII Ii End?
No one who has taken observations o.
who has carefully studied the situation