The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-10
MINING SITUATION
 STILL IMPROVING Operators Report Little Inter-
 ruption In Output ONE HOUSE DYNAMITED Bomb Is Exploded at the Residence of Peter Blckert at Lewisburg, an
 Old EmpIoye of Alabama
 Consolidated.
ONE HOUSE DYNAMITED

The mining situation in the Birmingham district Is improving. Furnace operators reported yesterday that there was com paratively little interruption to their coal output on account of the efforts being made by the United Mine Workers to in duce the men to "come out''
 Vice President J. w. Mcqueen of the Sloss-Sheffield stated that his company mined more coal yesterday than on Wednesday and more on Wednesday than the day before.
 The Tennessee company reported that a few men at Blocton--less than 20 walked out" yesterday, but that at its ether mines decided gains had been made; that is to say, men who had quit work came back and a number who had been wavering decided to remain in the serv- ice of the company.
 The Republic Iron and Steel company reported that conditions at it's Warner camp, where the men had quit, were be- coming normal.
 At the Lewisburg, Searles and Brook wood mines of the Alabama Consolidated some of the miners who had sided with
 
 intention of returning to work.
 On Wednesday night a dynamite bomb was exploded at the residence of Peter Bickert at Lewisburg, one of the oldest and best miners in the employ of the Alabama Consolidated company, with the evident intention of terrorizing the fam fly. With MT. BIckert lives his wife and children, including a son, who is also an employe of the company. The house stands near the main road and the highway is patroled by a special deputy. The dyna- mite was thrown into MT. Bickert's yard shortly after the officer had passed by. The bomb was aimed at the front porch but struck a trellis and fell to the ground. Luckily no one was hurt.
 Vice President Guy R. Johnson of the Alabama Consolidated says he is employ ing additional deputies and is sparing no efforts to have the bomb thrower appre- hended.
 A meeting of operators was held yes- terday afternoon in the Woodward build ing to confer about the general situation. While 1t was agreed that conditions were much more satisfactory than they were a few days ago it was decided that tho property of the companies and the men employed by them would be protected at any cost. we are all operating on the open shop - ln," said furnace company official. We ask no questions as to whether our men belong to the United Mine Workers or not. They are at perfect liberty to belong to the union. All we are determined on is this: Our men shall Tot be interfered with and they are to have the fullest protection.
 In the strike of 1904 the Tennessee com pany, the Sheffield, the Republic and other companies made the fight for the open shop and won; but 1t is recalled that there was not the same concert of action on the part of the furnace com panies there there is now. It is said, in fact, that the operators are standing to- gether at the present time with absolute unanimity.
 As precaution against disorder at any of the mining camps Sheriff Higdon has had a large number of circulars printed, containing extracts from the code on violation of the law by labor combina- tions," and is distributing them through out the district