The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-26

miners strike in this district is that If the operators had recognized the union and thereby submitted to it's arbitrary distates no matter at what the price or mining was fixed, the officials would have called off the strike weeks ago. In other words that If the operators would say to the officials we will recognize the union, provided it will allow a reduction of 10 cents per ton on mining, such compro- mise would be accepted, and the miners would go to work by full consent of the United Mine Workers of America.
 The reason is plain. MT. Farley claims that there are about 1900 strik- ing miners in this district. If union men could be forced to pay $ per week each-or s4 per month, or 52 per annum, that would be $9SS,OO0 rolled into the coffers of the Alabama division of the United Mine Workers of America, which said sum could be used to pay big salaries to Mir Fairley and his fellow officials and to swell the purse of the union for more strikes in the future.
 Who Would Gain7
 This would be severe tax on the ener- gies and the muscle of the striking miners and would continue to make rich and fat the heads whoslive upon seasons of strite Such arrangement could not in any wise prove advantageous to the real working miner. 4szs
 Everybody now understands that tho present strike is not on account of wages If It were so the numerous mines in the district which have always paid the high CT scale, never cutting cent would not be affected Wages have been good in this district for several years, higher than in any other state containing bitumi- nous coal mines; and work in Alabama
 Facts To Consider.
 And the following facts should not be overlooked by miners who are suffering themselves to be misled, to-wit:
 That miners who will work regularly and efficiently earn more than workers In any other trade. .s
 That they could not earn one-half as na,,ch in any other line of work.
 That the suppry of miners in this dis trict-whlch Is gradually 'inereasinp lie output-has been for years less than the demand; and that such conditions will continue as development increases
 That any miner working regularly and industriously at present wages, will earn his requirements for himself and family and more.
 That the present wage scale, as gen. erally accepted, was based upon the min imum price of iron of $S per ton, and maximum price of $11.50 per ton.
 That iron is costing at least s3 per ton more now than when this basis was adopted nine years ego.
 That no miner need work where he is not treated fairly, but can find employ- ment elsewhere.
 That the claim that all operators cheat in weights is not true
 That the laws of the state require that all coal mined in this state, contracted for payment by the ton, shall be weighed. and full weight thereof credited to the miner; and 2O0O pounds of coal shall con- stitute a ton.
 That the laws of this state will punish. by fine, any operator who refuses to cor rectly weigh the coal of any miner.
 Many Causes.
 That the miners union has made it. self objectionable because 1t encourages inefficient labor.
 Because 1t creates antagonism between employer and employe.
 Because it practically considers that n contract is binding only on the employer.
 Because 1t claims the right for it's members to work when and where they please, and deprives, by force non-union men of exercising their constitutional rights.
 That the leaders are many times selfish. and evidently consider only their indi- vidual interest.
 That some of the leaders pay taxes on large values Of property-the savings out of salaries not exceeding $50 per month
 That supplies can be furnished by one firm only. thus denying the miner the privilege of trading with his own retail merchant. and thus distributing the prof. its on the supplies furnished
 That the salaries of the officers go on and they live comfortably out of the zone of danger while the miners families are receiving only a small quantity of so- called rations.
 lnAt II the statement made by Of- ticials is true as to the number of miners on a strike, the miners and their families are losing not less than $l.0O00OO per month. which can never be regained
 That the effort to instill ideas of social equality between whites and blacks pre- sents picture so threatening that social order is constantly in jeopardy, less there be added still other incidents of attack by brutal blacks upon women of the white race.
 That should this season of disorder con- tinue a season of bloodshed may follow that will bring greater suffering and greater sorrow than was eve dreamed d of when the vicious leaders sowed the seeds of discord in this community
 And finally that all violence or inter- ference with others in their work or in their efforts to work, will not be tolerated longer by the people of this state.
 Both Alternatives.
 That there are other recourses than even appeals to the sheriff, to the gover- nor or to the civil and military forces of Alabama, and if these do fail to per form the functions of defenders of person and property, other mecns and methods will be employed.
 The conservative, sober minded miners who are now idle, should reflect seriously on the situation and pursue that couI SC thot is best for them and for their de- pendent families.
 Breeding More Trouble.
 Near Littleton yesterday there was a mass meeting of several hundred strikers which should have not been allowed by the civil or the military authorities, but it happened that there were neither dsp- N. ss..i- .ask A % .|..j