The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-30

Acton Mines, July 29-SSpecial.) )-When the prophetic finger of Henry F.. DeBar- deleben pointed to this spot as one which would afford excellent returns for the investment of capital and the application of labor 1t was hardly believed that even that strong hand for pioneering and wig orous arm for executing, would within few brief months show development so extensive and wonderful as this
 Beginning here only few months ago, the Alabama Fuel and Iron company, under the guidance of MT. DeBardeleban delved down into the soil of the Acton basin and opened up this mine with a capacity of 1000 tons of coal per day, which was it's normal output until the 7th day of the present month, when d number of miners here formed their local, aligned themselves with the United Mine Workers and walked out, leaving little less than half the working force still in action.
 Singular Phase.
 This mine presents singular phase of the present strike one peculiarly inter- esting, and one that must set at rest the prevailing idea that wage reduction caused the present trouble. When MT DeBardeleban opened this mine to the working men of the district he an nounced to them emphatically that the policy of the Alabama Fuel and Iron company was to run the "open shop With this understanding, these men took positions. The price. fixed for mining then was 90 cents per ton. That price has never been cut, and the figure thus remains today. Then the question natur- ally arises: What was the matter at Ac- ton that caused a number of men to walk out of the mines on the 7th of July and decline to return?
 President of the Local.
 It was my pleasure to meet here this afternoon MT. Pat Barrett president of the union miners local at this point, and l inquired of him the cause of the strike at these mines. He informed me that the cause was the company declined to recognize the union. That was all. MT Barrett stated that all but about 50 men had joined the union, and of the 50 who refused to do so and remained in this mine there were only about IS white miners MT. Barrett complains that the officials df the company will not allow the strikers to go upon its private roads and grounds except to visit the postoffice and that they are stopped In their every movement by guards and deputy sheriffs. He says many have left here to obtain work at union mines and believes many more will soon follow. He tells me that he does not see any possible chance for an early adjustment of differences be- tween the union miners and the com pany.
 Mir Barrett is a well known miner of this district, and up to the 7th inst. did not join or affiliate with the union He applied for work several months ago to this "open shop place, obtained it and entered himself upon the roll of "open shop" miners 1t will, therefore be ob- served that his promotion to high honor in the union was remarkably rapid.
 Excellent Advantages.
 Acton mines are delightfully."- located. They lie six miles east of Helena on a new spur of the Louisville and Nashville railroad. IA miles distant from Birming- ham. The mine is modernly equipped the houses all new and well built, occupying high grounds in shady groves. 1t is an ideal mining camp. The company charges the miners only s5 per month for the new four-room cottages. which ia much less than the average charge in the district.
 Best of all the coal vein exceeds s,x feet in thickness, which fact is regarded exceedingly inviting to the industrious miner.
 All Three Classes.
 Today have talked with the three diff ferent classes of men, particularly or al. rectly interested in this strike--the oper- ator. the striker and the working miner
 MT. Charles DeBardeleben the man. ager. Is here quite busy at his office He states that he has not lost single day by this strike, and does not expect to do SD Exhibiting to this writer his books