Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-09-09
SETTLEMENT
 OF BIG STRIKE
Removal of Troops From the Alabama Mines Is Proceeding, and It Is Els. timated That 17,OOO Men Will Re- turn to Work in a Short Time.

Birmingham, Ala, Sept. S.-The ac- ton of the convention of District 20, United Mine Workers of America, in endorsing the calling off of the strike in the Birmingham district removes the last trace of fear that the trouble would be prolonged. A bitter contro- versy arose in the meeting as to whether the national executive board should be upheld or whether the struggle should continue as an Ala bama strike" without the aid of the national organization. This was led by men who doubtless knew they would not be taken back by the oper ators, and was used as desperate hope While the sessions were se- cret, it is known that the final vote showed the great majority of the del egates were not inclined to listen to any such advice, and the resolution endorsing the national boards action was carried by wide margin.
 It is announced that the removal of troops from the mining camps of the district will proceed as originally planned and all the troops will be sent to their home towns within l few days following the ratification by the local miners union convention or lt the action of the national officers ill calling off the strike.
 This settles the strike to the bot tom. Seventeen thousand men will be back at work within a week or len days, and there is no prospect of vio- fence in any form A leading operator, and one who was regarded as leading the radical element of this side of the controversy, said today that he would take back men as fast as places could be found; that it was the policy of the 1 operators, now the strike had been definitely ended, to do all in thelr bower to bring about peace. He point ed out that local differences between the miners, some standing by the un- l ion and others by the companies, | would necessarily result in Sood deal of changing from place to place, but all ill all he considered It likely that % per cent of the strikers would soon be back in the mines. The agl- tators and those guilty of lawlessness will not be given work ill the district.
 The men will endeavor to maintain the union organization as far as 1t is
 possible. but the operators will cer- tainly not collect dues, as formerly. Everything will be stricty on non
 union basis.
 The return of Vice President White and Secretary Treasurer Ryan of the
 national organization leaves the dis trict in charge of w. R. Farley, just as 1t was before the strike. What will
 be the result of the bitter feeling aroused against the local leaders can not be known but it is not improbable that action of some sort will be taken.
 The leave taking of the national off
 cers reyiyes the talk of coolness plainly evident in Birmingham be- tween President Lewis and the other two head officials of the United Mine
 Workers. There was no attempt to
 disguise the lack of harmony and those who watched conditions closest would not be surprised to learn of an open break.
 IL was patent to all that Secretary TYeasurer Ryan is the virtual head of Ithe e9sanization, Mr. Lewis apparent
 ly habiug little influence with the oth-
 CT officials Or with the rank and file. His actions in Rirmngham may have 1 heen accentuated by the fact that this
 was the first strike he had called. and
 it was correspondingly hard for him to be forced 10 lose it.
 Baby won't suffer five minutes with