The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-14
sKETcHED AT CONVENTION.

, Alabama. as has existed in the state of 1 Colorado for the past eight or nine months. I am sorry to say, however, that l find to certain degree the same spirit manifested amongst certain opera tors In our state. I have no doubt but what the Pratt Coal company would say that they favor law and order. They preach the same doctrine in Colorado, the state where anarchy without parallel ex- ists. The situation there is a shame and disgrace to any state in these United States. I might say there Is no parallel in darkest Rustia-"
 MT. Fairley said that Las Animas coun- ty. Colorado, had been under martial law since March %, until last week, at which time he understood that martial law ceased. He said there was never any more necessity for martial law in Las Animas county than there is at this time in the city of Birmingham.
 Miners Are Peaceful.
 The speaker declared that no act of violence had been committed in Trinidad by the miners when the military was called there. He said however, that be- fore that time three men, including him. self. had been bodily injured. He said that the courts and legal machinery was against them however, and there was no chance to get Justice in the courts. He said that shortly after he and the other two were assaulted that a certain news paper out there threatened their lives if they did not get out of the state. He added that all were laid up in bed as a result of the injuries inflicted upon them.
 MT. Fairley said that he could not help but thank Major Hil who was in charge of the military in Las Aninias county for protection rendered. He, like other. however. had to do what told to, or get out of the way, but he did deport and protect men with some degree of jus- tice."
 The speaker said there was no state in the union where capital seemed to reign SO fully and that if a person was not in keeping with the opinion of cap ital that he was not safe in Colorado.
 Urges Conservatism.
 Mr. Fairley then took up the matter of the new wage scale In his preface he said among other things: 'If there has ever been a year when settlements were to be made, there has been no year where caution was more necessary than now. All over these United States wages are not this year what they were last year. hope that this Convention. Mir President and fellow delegates will at least act con- servative1y, and try to adopt a scale that will meet with the views of the commu- nifty. I must insist that my hopes are that conservatism will prevail throughout the entire deliberations'
 He referred to the four strikes which the national association now has on it's hands, which he said were costing large sums of money. The four strikes refer red to he said were located in Pennsyl- vania, Ohio and the two Vlrginlas and that everything now points in the dlrec- tion of caution. "I have heard some ru- mors, since I returned to Birmingham just one week ago." said MT. Fairley which I only hope are not true. l have beard 1t said that some of the operators are want Ing a fight To this rumor l have always replied that l would be very sorry if I knew that that was the humor they are in. But if they want a fight and insist upon it. their wishes will be gratlhed. Applause) But l sincerely hope the op- orators will realize that peace and honor able peace Is better at all time than war. There is not an officer or delegate in the convention, I suppose. that wants war. but on the other hand we all want peace, with honor.
 Mineral Springs Situation.
 President Flynn has tol dyou that the contest at Mineral Springs must be won, and I want to tell you gentlemen of the convention, that l endorse that sentiment for the reason there is a spirit of unrest among capital all over the United States. That spirit has found lodgment in the minds of the operators of Alabama. l am sorry to say. If we allow the Pratt Coal company to work the Pratt seam by non- union labor they will try and work every other seam in the state under the same conditions and if this be the case I can plainly see the hand-writfnp an inc wall n
 MT. Fairley said that some complaint had been made relative to the members of certain locals failing to pay per cap- ita tax and assessments. He urged all of the mine workers in tho district to al- ways pay up promptly without fail say ing that the man who refused to do so