The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-06

In my letter yesterday I suggested the
 possibility of an utilization between the
 United Mine Workers of America and the
 Western Federation of Miners. Whether
 this utilization be formal or merely sym
 pathetic I do not know: but If it be true, as alleged that agents of the latter union are now in this district sowing seeds of
 discord and firing up the striking coal
 miners, the fact should be made known
 and the state prepared to meet condi-
 ton that would become even more fright ful than that of today. In the report of Maj Gen J. c. Bates.
 U. S. A, on conditions which existed in the west under the influence Of this fed eration. he uses this language:
 q find that the disturbances at Cripple
 Creek and Telluride amounted to insur-
 rection against the state of Colorado, in
 that mining, milling and other business
 was suspended there, by reason of in
 inhalation and threats of violence, and
 that the civil officers were not able to
 or did not maintain order.' Like Conditions Here. Now the question naturally arises are
 conditions in Alabama now in anywise Colorado at that time? Is not mining,
 milling and other business suspended" here "by reason of intimidation and
 threats of violence?n And if it is true,
 is not this district in a state of insur- rection? Is not Alabama suffering touch of the spirit of outlawry which Colorado once suffered-an insdious pois- on here infused by some agency like unto that which caused disorder, con fusion and absolute insurrection in Colo rado?
 Certain it is that crimes are being com
 mitted by day and by night in our midst:
 and that these crimes are the result of the coal miners strike I am not going to be so unreasonable as to charge organized labor with these crimes. That would be as unjust as to charge the republican form of gov ernment with the misdeeds of political parties or with high crimes committed in its name.
 The Real Question. The situation here has now reached the question:, not whether corporations, mine owners, alliances or unions shall prevail, but the question of whether or not the law and security for life and property shall prevail.
 The law-abiding people of Colorado once
 presented the following bill of indictment against the Western Federation of Min, CTS:
 Bill of Indictments. 1. That large number of criminals and
 lawless men have been welcomed, sup ported and sheltered by the Western Fed eraton of Miners.
 2 That the officers of that organization
 and a large number of the members,
 while perhaps not committing crimes themselves, for which they can be pros- ecuted, do directly and indirectly advise
 and encourage the lawless among them
 to commit crimes.
 3, That these officers and this element preach disrespect for the law and con- tempt for the lawful authorities and open- ly and publicly as individuals approve of and gloate over the slugging, dynamiting and murdering of non-union men by their criminal associates
 A. That where this organization has had its members in local public offices, or where it has had the power to influence peace officers and courts in this state. it has paralyzed the hand of justice and
 made it next to impossible to convict
 members of the federation caught in the act of committing crimes. b mi
 mally and officially espoused the cause Of the so-called socialist party Is op- posed to our present form of government and Is aiming at its overthrow, together with the abrogation of the present con stitution.
 t. That this organization teaches it's members to regard the wealth they pro- duce from the property of others as their own. thus encouraging theft and also in flaming the minds of it's members against their employers, against the law, against organized society and against the peace and safety of the public. Criminal Record.
 The criminal record of the Western Fed eration of Miners is dark and damnable. but too long to relate in this space. It's bloody career in the western strikes it's death dealing blows by internal ma chimes, and rifle shot and the sufferines it caused the innocent, constitute a dark page in the history of this great country of ours, and awakened the strongest con demnation by the true spirit of civic righteousness. A congressional report tells us that Peter Breen, prominent leader. in q speech at Butte on July II, 1893. said in substances
 We have given the mine owners fight to the finish and If they are not satisfied we can give them some more" This he
 said, was the happiest moment of his life, and that he was at all times will
 ing to be classed as one of the dyna- miters."
 Such is the partial criminal record of the Western Federation of Miners which organization, it is alleged, is seeking en- trance into this district Alabama should arise and be on it's guard
 The Lynching at Brighton.
 The lynching of the negro at Brighton Tuesday night who was charged with the offense of dynamiting the dwelling surprise yet it is indeed deplorable that human life. no matter how base and criminal it might be, should thus be taken away It has been charged by some of the strike leaders that this dyna- hitting of homes has been done by the occupants themselves. and the question may arise did this victim of lynching ba al