The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-30
WhQt Men Are Earning
 Al The Acton Mines
No Disturbances Have Taken Place In Mines Operated by DeBardelebens- President of Local Union Gives
 Cause of Recent Strike
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

the fact was disclosed that the present average daily output of the mine is 450 tons. He says that this coal is being mined by the old men who are remaining with him, some of whom left for only two or three days and then returned He has made no efforts to induce new re- cruits to take employment here.
 MT. DeBardeleben expresses satisfac- ton at the present outlook and says posi- lively that no compromise or concessions will be made with or for union miners. Both he and MT. B. D. Williams, the su- perintendent, inform me that there is no disorder around the mine. They attribute this condition to the fact that deputy sherffs guard the premises watchfully day and night, and they allow no tres- passing therefore. there Is no interfer- ence with the men who remain in the mines.
 Miners Who Work.
 Your correspondent interviewed several of the miners still employed here, among them a MT. Moore and w. L. Kirkland, both of whom express entire satisfaction with their positions and with their fnonth- ly earnings. One of these men says he has heard the statement that union men were afraid to kick" Said he: T entered this mine when it was only 20 feet deep, and have worked in 1t steadily ever since. 1 have kicked so often that l won the title of the chronic kicker of the camp and every kick l ever made produced the desired results. I got what l wanted. No, l am not afraid to kick. {"
 What They Earn.
 Both of these men tell me that their net earnings each last month exceeded $1O0; one of them making as much as s160. On this point of fair compensation the com
 
 following earnings per month by some of the miners here employed under the present wage scale. Some of these are white and some black men: James Walk CT. S91; M. Daily, $95; John Borden, ST; T. M. Harris, s97; Joe Kalleto, $146.50; c. Nanni (wth one heper), S206; w. D. Davis and one other man, $l91; Pat Bar rett mow president of the locaD, S49; and many others in proportion, these figures representing profits after paying help.
 This array of figures, when present. ented to me did not indicate that star walton lurked at the door of the min CTS here and l could not understand what would induce these strong and useful men to abandon a field so prof. table and so full of promise for con tinued happiness for themselves and for their dependent families. However, this is a free country, and these men may better understand than do I.
 No matter how it comes so, it is grat- flying to know that the spirit of dis order is not in evidence at Acton; tha the men who are at work are undis- turbed and that these mines extend such an inviting proposition to men who really desire profitable and peace ful employment
 It is indeed regrettable that there exists today in many parts of the dis trict a feeling of unrest produced by the mob spirit, not as a rule openly demonstrative, perhaps but just enough of it apparent to indicate smothered embers which might be easily infamed by the least jar and work most harm fully to idle, waiting men.
 The question arises, Is there not a voice and a hand among the leaders of this strike strong enough, wise enough and humane enough to act now for peace and order and to still the trou- bled waters? We will see what we shall see.