The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-12
Company Officials Say That
 Coal is Being Mined INFORMAL MEETING HELD
Union Officials Say That Throughout the District Only Ten Men He- turned to Work-Sloss-Sheffleid
 Go. Starts Coke Ovens.

terday and it was reported that the com panies were getting out coal.
 When the officials of the miners union met for their exchange of views yester- day it was reported that not more than ten union men had returned to work throughout the district.
 1 The officials of the companies express satisfaction at the progress of the plan to open the mines without discrimination between union and non-union men but they will make no statements con- corning the number of men who have returned to work.
 At the offices of the Sloss- Sheffield com pany 1t was stated that coal had been sent over the tipple at Blossburg and New Found It was further stated by President Maben that hereafter the mines of his company would be worked on the open basis that is, miners would be given work without regard to their utilization with the union.
 No Recognition of Union.
 'sThere will be no recognition of the union men," said MT. Maben. "but all the old men will be given an opportunity to return to work according to the prices announced in the notices posted at the mines on Tuesday" These notices offer 45 cents ton minimum for coal when iron is $9. It was further explained that the men would not make less than 40 cents if the price of iron fell below the Ss mark
 "There Is practically nothing new in the situation" said Don H. Bacon, president of the Tennessee company. T understand however" he continued, that coal is be- ing turned out at many of the mines"
 Mir. Bacon said that he did not know whether or not the miners would appeal the cases of unlawful detainer decided against them in the Blue Creek region. It is understood that these miners are be- ing evicted from the company houses and that non-union men will be put in their places.
 Miners Notified to Move.
 Miners living in the houses of the Sloss- Sheffield company were given notice yes terday to vacate by September l. It Is not known yet whether this notice will be complied with. It Is understood that the miners will resist these notices according to law but this could not be confirmed yesterday. The Blue Creek decsion it Is said, will have an important bearing on the action of other companies as it sets a precedent as to how much notice is necessary to have the company houses vacated.
 At the miners headquarters there was nothing to indicate that the miners were in the least disturbed over the situation. President Flynn said that he was satis- fled with the result of the companies to operate their mines regardless of the strike. According to reports received by me-" said MT. Flynn. Not more than ten men in the district have returned to work at the invitation of the companies. I find our men firm In their determination to stick by the demand for the reaffirma- tion of last years scale. The men are being well cared for and so far I have not heard of single case of want or suffering. Provisions are being sent to the men daily and everybody seems per- fectly satisfied to await results. No, there has been no conference between the miners and the operators and I have no reason to believe there will be one at an early date"
 Meeting at Pratt City President Flynn, accompanied by Joseph Petoic, the Savlsh interpreter. Joseph Paggioni, the Italian interpreter and Vice President Greer went to Pratt City last night where they addressed a large meet ing of miners and others. The meeting was not in executive form and the public was allowed to participate.
 Just now Secretary Clemo of the miners union, is about the busiest man connected with the strike. For the past few days he has been buying all kinds of supplies to fill acquisitions sent in from the locals and it takes hard work to get these or ders filled and delivered on time. Four days ago MT. Clemo purchased practi- cally every pound of salt meat of good quality in Birmingham. He had one order | filled for 10000 pounds of short rib pig meat which was distributed to the various locals. Yesterday his work was almost 1 as hard. His purchases consists princi- | DAILY lDL lOuAt ioioi ou5dA anu meal.
 Do Not Receive Money. l Contrary to the general impression the miners while on a strike do not receive a money benefit as is the case with some other unions The men when in need are furnished with provisions only. Tho presidents of the locals usually make the reauisitlons for supplies. Being in close touch with the miners living in their vicinity they are enabled to decide who is in need and who is not No miner. however, is refused provisions when he asks for them. These provisions are sent to a regular depot where the strikers call and get what they need.
 | The Sloss-Sheffield company last night | started 400 additional coke ovens Incud- ed in this number are the ovens at the city furnace on First avenue.
 It was stated in the Woodward build | ing yesterday that fifteen cars had been | ordered to handle the coal produced by the Republic Iron and Steel company One of the operators said positively that coal was now being mined at New Found. Blosspurg' Cardiff. Graves and Warner