The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-21
NEED MORE SOLDIERS z
 TO GUARD THE MIlVJy3 ;

t | f A and the ceaseless vigilance he cit izen soldier has stopped ing for the time being. It has nos removed the cause for the strike. It has not removed the feeling between operators and strikers. It has simply ca1med both the miners and the special depu- ty sheriffs.
 ToIa to Stick to Strike.
 The Mine Workers Union still pre- sents solid front. The men are re- maining quietly in their homes. living, on the ss a week given each striker by The National organization. and watch ing developments. Orderly meetings are being held. where respect for law and order is urged, but where the men are told to stick to the strike
 Should the soldiers be removed, 1t is the general opinion that rfoting and oioooshed would immediately follow.
 The great trouble. and the blackest cloud which overhangs the situation, Is that under present conditions the miners are living about as well as they did when working. Few full weeks of work were being given the men. on account of the depressed financial con- dition, and the cut in wages made their weekly income not great deal more than sS. So the miners are not suf- fering and as long as the funds hold out and the wolf keeps from the door. they have little excuse for wishing eo return to work. But just the same the feeling is as bitter against the oper- ators. non-union men, and special dep- uty sheriffs, employed by the operators. as if they were starving on account of the strike.
 Tn the second place, absolutely no effort is being made to get the capi- tafists and the union men together vn an amicable basis.
 Operators stand Pat.
 The hard times have made 1t so mat it Is just as impossible for the opera tors to pay the union scale as 1t is irk- some for the miners to work at the prfce offered. The operators see the opportunity also to give union labor In the Birmingham district final Knockout blow. The operators will spend a great deal of money and will bring every influence to bear to crush forever more avoid the almost con- steiit turmoil with labor.
 They are standing pat and are going to continue to do so until the last ditch.
 On the other hand. the union men re. alixe that for years the cause or unfonism has been weakening In North IIaharna. Body blow after body blow haa been administered and four years sro inc fatal count of ten was almost anolren over the prostrate form of the Mitchell organization in Alabama. But the union arose, rematned on the oe- fensive and again gathered strength.
 The strike of July. lS0s. is tne nnns ~ rally. 1t may establish slnionism m tha mineral district on firm footing TOT It may mean it's death blow for eter- hisy sc an either hand. the fight will moi ha given up without bitter struggle n these early days Of the strike. tne counsel of the conservatives or tns ,,yian Ia being listened to. If the strike s.s,. .s>-.,ion ved- however, or If there shns,id be a biz importation of strike hrealxers. the counsel might not Rt - ' n erm might be fiery speeches A sotiva leader might spring ur ansonr the uYaionists and Alabams Tvos,id witness a condition far more se' riois than the memorable strike dayi of ls9A. .x. aifuatIon is serious. but as yet he has dore nothing to cause the clouds tc nass. 1t is true he has the ire snould- srInr hut 1t Is not under his control The sittiation Is certainly dimcuH one and right now the Governor, the min- CTS and the operators. are equally at loss to know what step to take.
 Conner in at Sea.
 The Governor wants to prevent dis. order. and preserve property without loss of life but as to the methods of Sd doing he is up in the air. He fears that the narshailing of a brigade of soldiers in Jefferson County might in- flame the miners to rioting. and then he ig rather ieary over the expense ot 50 doing. And at present. he has hand fuI of men, scattered throughout the County, which could not possibly with
 1Confinued on Page Five.)