The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-29

Lewisburg, July 2S.-(Special, )-Those who have figured on the proposition esti- mate that this coal strike in Alabama is costing the United Mine Workers at the rate of S50o,0o0 peS month.s.Jn this connection two points must be borne in mind. One is that the organization has a very large membership and it requires very little per capita to provide this sum. Another is that thousands of mi ners- in the western and middle states are now out of employment on account of shut-downs; and the members of the association who are thus idle can little afford to pay down weekly assessments for the support of their brother mem- bers who are on strike in Alabama.
 Did Leaders Consider?
 However, the officials who ordered this strike are men of experience and they doubtless took these points into eonsid- eration before calling out the men. Yet, certain it is that support will not long be furnished unless the Alabama miners show progress in their efforts for sue cess in this strike.
 In attempting to arrive at an estimate of how long the strike will last We must consider what real progress has been made by miners in their efforts to win out in this contest. Are they making progress?
 At Mary Lee.
 The point from which l now write is Lewisburg-Mary Lee mipes-operated by the Alabama Consolidated. This place is made somewhat famous by shut-dpwns, strikes, and one Hateful accident in years gone by, and disorders since this strike began Coming out here in private con veyance this afternoon I met a number of the striking men, who had been la i boring in this mine. Addressing bunch of colored men l asked them of causes, conditions and present status of the strike, and their complaint was the wage reduction I asked them if there was any probability of an adjustment and they modestly answered; The superin- tendent says not.
 What Strikers Say. Alighting again from the vehicle I wat greeted by a number of white men sit ting by the roadside, who informed me that they were strikers who had left Mary Lee mines. Asked as to causes, conditions and possibilities of adjustment the spokesman of this party answered in a reticent way as to the calise of the strike He told me that the capacity of the mine was about 900 tons per day; but that at present the output was only about 15O tons he thought. He further inform ed your correspondent that q number of the old miners at Mary Lee declined to join the strike and still remained. Said he: Some new men are going in and the force at these mines is gradually in creasing each day" To the question: At this rate will not the mine soon have a full quota of men?" he laconically an swered: AS sure as h--ll," and verify 1t does look so.
 Superintendent Gallagher
 I have just met Superintendent Galla- gher in his office, and he verfes to an exact degree the information furnished me by tic striking miners, except as to the present day output. MT Gallagher exhibited to me his weight sheets, which show that last week his average produc- tion was 2C0 tons per day: that today 1t was 266 tons. He says that he has in- creased his force steadily by the return of some of his old men and daily access sions by new recruits. s
 Wages Earned.
 As an evidence of the ability of ordi- nary labor to earn money at the present scale for simply loading, he shows me records proving that the average amount loaded by each man is P to 13 tons. which at 20 cents per ton yields per diem for each $40 to s2.60. He tells me that there are res iHillt III Mary Lee today who are netting more than $1O per day
 Quiet and Peaceful.
 All is quiet now at Mary Lee No deputy sherffs are on duty in the day time At night there is a full and ef- dcient force, however, to guard the prop ertv of the company. The superintendent tells me that the only trouble he has with the strikers is their interference with the men who have accepted employ ment in going to and from their, work.
 At this mine the colSe-drawers did not strike with the miners. and this force