The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

, Blocton, August S.-(Special. )-It was at this place in November, 1904, during that disturbing miners strike, that Superin- tendent w s. Lang, faithful employe of the Tennessee company, and citizen of prominence and usefulness, Christian Catholic churchman much beloved by every law and order man who knew him, lost his life at his post of duty That death is much lamented to this day and every reference to the present strike re- kindles recollection of his taking away and causes expressions of admiration for the man and loss to the community
 Strike and It's Effect.
 When $50 men who were working in these mines at Blocton, belonging to the Tennessee company, walked out In the early days of July the normal output here was 1412 tons per day. On Thursday of this week it was 902 tons. Therefore, it is shown that Blocton has not so greatly suffered, as other mining properties in this district.
 The working force here in June was 57S men. In July 1t was reduced to 291 men. Within the past few days about 100 men have returned to the work; some from other mines. These recruits are not what they call transportation men," They have come and applied for positions and the list shows that more are coming every day.
 About 80 per cent of the mining force here Is today and has been all along white men. Most of them are foreigners, Bulgarians and Hungarians predominant ing. When the strike occurred most of the Italians and the Slavs walked out most of the other foreigners remaining
 Today I have seen large number of these Bulgarians and Hungarians busily and rapidly at work and am told that they are peaceful. quiet. industrious men. Most of them have been here employed for two years and have never given any trouble.
 Mines In Commission.
 At Blocton the Tennessee company has four mines, all in commission today ex- cept No. ?, which three years ago was flooded and badly damaged by water. At this writing the pumps are being put in position and the company will at once remove the difficulty and resume opera tions in this mine. One other company operates mine at Blocton. This is the Klondyke mine owned and operated by the Howell Min ing Co. It Is not large mine That company has signed the scale and is run ning under union auspices. Most of it's operatives are Italians
 No Disorder.
 There has been no disorder of conse- quence at Blocton since the strike be- gan. Yesterday there was some harmless demonstration in the way of public gathering of the strikers and a march by them, with music and banners, from the Klondyke settlement to West Blocton Last night there were a number of shots heard in the Italian quarters of the Klondyke company, but as yet there are no reports of casualties.
 Some days ago, at an early morning hour. two or three men concealed in the woods near one of these mines fired n few shots over the heads of some Rul garians, who were going peacefully to their work It is thought that this was done simply to frighten the men. Place Safe-Guarded. Twenty-four deputy sheriffs, in charge | of Deputy Henry Cole, are guarding this | property day and night. which fact may | account in some measure for the peaceful | and orderly conditions maintained here | These deputies are not allowed to fire ofr I their arms either on or off duty. conse- 1 ouently only two cartridges have been used on the Tennessee company's proper- 1 ty or by its employees, and 1t has not as Vet been ascertained who the party wa. | that used these.
 These Blocton mines of the Tennessee