The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-28

when ln the DrleI letter written 0D Sunday I expressed a wish that the spirit of compromise would assert itself and differences between operators and striking miners would thus be adjusted. l did not mean to indicate that there was any apparent possibility of the larger operators of this district ever . again recognizing the miners union, or allowing the organization to control the operations of the mines.
 Today this correspondent is convinced that this will not be done in years to come that the organization as an ganization will be resisted in it's efforts, no matter if it takes millions of money to carry on a campaign of resistance.
 This opinion is based upon expressions uttered by men who know of the inner workings and the determination of men at the head of the corporations.
 The compromise hoped for is an ad- justment of the wage scale, a satisfac- tory method of weighing and measuring and some other details complained about.
 Matter of Weights.
 It occurred to this writer that the public ought to be informed as to whether or not it is true that short weights were given the offended miners, and if they were denied the right to present grievances to their employers.
 Said one of the operators today: of short weights are given it is violation of the criminal law of Alabama, and the offenders should de detected, arrested and punished just as other criminals
 q think, too," said this operator, "that the special mining laws of Alabama make it incumbent upon the state mine inspectors to examine and adjust scales and thus protect the miners and the operators. If this is done 1t seems to me it would be easy to detect the injustice mentioned"
 Mine Inspector Gray Interviewed.
 Today this correspondent has inter- viewed States Mine Inspector Gray on this subject, and that official expresses a willingness to make thorough in spection of scales where requests are made for such inspection by operators or miners actively engaged in mining.
 This offer on the part of the inspector was at once conveyed to some of the officers of the mining companies. These officials express a willingness, and are anxious to have this inspection made, and it will doubtless be done without de- lay. The necessity for it is obvious just at this time when the charge is pre- ferred before the public that short weights and measures were imposed upon the offended miners.
 As soon as report is made upon these examinations requests will be made for copies of such reports and they will be published
 Mining Law on Weights.
 The following are the sections of the Alabama mining laws which touch upon the subject of coal weights:
 Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That all coal mined in this state, contracted for the payment by the ton or weight. shall be weighed and full weight thereof shall be credited to the miner of such coal and that 2000 pounds shall constitute a ton.
 Sec. 5 Be it further enacted, That the owner or operator of each coal mine at which the miners are paid by weight by contract shall provide such miners with suitable scales of standard make for weighing of all coal
 Sec G. Be it further enacted. That in all mines the miners employed therein may furnish check weighman. who shall at proper times have full access and examination of such scales and seeing all measures and weights and accounts kept of same; provided, that not more than one person shall have such above said rights at the same time.
 Sec. T. Be 1t further enacted, That the chief mine inspector shall procure from the state at the states expense. A full and complete apparatus necessary for a just weighing of coal and other materials at the mines; according to the state standard of weights; that 1t shall be the duty of said inspector, as often as occa sion demands, to examine, test and ad- iust all scales and other apparatus used in weighing at the mines.
 GAS often as occasion demands" is a clause which surely calls for an inspec lion at this time. when operators and