The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-06

do possess souls of human kindness and consideration for miners, as well as others Hundreds of new men have come into the mining district of Alabama to take the places of those who went out on the strike, and but few of the latter have left the state. Hence there are now many more laborers than there is work to do. Under the law of supply and de- mand it would be an easy matter now to obtain all needful men at a heavy cut in the wage scale. The operators are fully aware of the fact; but instead of reducing the price for mining 1t is the expressed desire and the purpose of the mine owners, not only to hold present prices, but to increase the rate Just as soon as market conditions will justify, and if the price of iron continues to ad- vance this will not be a great while.
 Operators Association.
 The Alabama Coal Operators associa- tion of which the operators at Carbon Hill are active, earnest members, though forced to organization by the strike of the miners. has resolved to protect their labor as well as their capital in future, and to do all things that will advance the mining interests of Alabama
 From present appearances 1t is safe to predict that the 'open shop policy in the mining industry of Alabama has come to stay. The organization of the Operators association and the disastrous result of the miners strike would seem to indicate that both operators and miners are now united on the proposi- ton. The "open shop has been work ing successfully and happily in West Vir- ginia for a number of years; and it has resulted in increasing the output of coal and maintaining living wages and free dom of action excellently well.
 Check Weighman.
 As an observer of cause and effect dur ing the strike I am glad to see that the operators have agreed without demand or coercion, to allow tho miners to ap- point their own -weighman, or rep resentative at the scales of each of the mines. This is just and reasonable. Every customer at store has a right to observe the scales when he Is making a purchase. Likewise has the miner to see that his labor is weighed or meas ured correctly. This was the general ob- servation of the public mind throughout the whole season of strife; and this con- cesson on the part of the operators, which comes without mandate of any union. or force of any kind, removes ab- solutely the last vestige Of even the ap- pearance of injustice on the part of the operators.
 Right to Rejoice.
 With thousands of other Alabamians, this correspondent rejoces that the strike , is over. It's final termination has given impetus to renewed activity in all depart ments of business. It has removed clouds of uneaslness and baneful apprehension. It has lifted the veil and presented a picture of prosperity and progress But the people of Ala abama will not I forget or forgive the acts of lawlessness which were committed by agitators of strife in their criminal assaults, by the i midnight prowlers and murderers. These should yet be detected and punished, or driven away. People will forgive and pity the misguided men, who left their fields of labor, under false promises of those who sought to get gain by the mis- fortunes of others; but they will not agree to compromise with crime.