The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-31

NoodWard, July 3D.--tSpeclai.l-il iids been 27 years since the Woodwards began developing the mines here and building this great furnace plant; and the en- terprise was stamped as a success when the first run of iron was here made; has proven successful through all the vissi- tudes of the quarter of century of its existence, and Is a success today.
 Woodward a BuIwark.
 The Woodward Iron company presents an illustration of the true and self-evi- dent proposition that nothing succeeds like success"
 This is one of the few coal and iron properties in the district that has never changed hands since it's establishment a fact which may have some bearing upon the splendid position which It oc- cupies in this period of anxiety. It's man. agement began operas,ons under the "open shop plan. and has conducted the works under that plan always, except in 1902 and 1903, when on account of all nearby operators submitting to the union rules, this company was induced to dc likewise.
 One Cause for Trouble.
 Said MT. A. H. Woodward today Change of management of mines has had a tendency to incite efforts for un. ionizing this district. The miners under stand full well the policies of operators or soon learn them. and they dare not attempt to disturb those who have dem onstrated determination not to be con trolled by unions. whereas they take oc- casion by demands and strikes to test the temper and the inclinations of new man agements.''
 1 hazard nothing in saying that today better conditions exist at Woodward and Dolomite mines than at any other mining point in the district. In fact, Woodward is bulwark of safety to the whole coa mining situation, because Woodward is producing an absolutely normal supply oi coal, and besides is sending ali enormous supply to the Tennessee company for Its coke ovens, steel mills and furnaces. Ol the 800 men employed in these coal mines only about SO went out on the strike The output of coal at Dolomite prior tc the strike was 1900 tons per day. Since the Tth of July this has been increased tc HOO tons per day. Prior to the strike the mines worked only four or five days per week; they now work six days pei week, hence the increased output witt the diminished force.
 Last week this company furnished thu Tennessee company 124 cars of coal and . quantity of coke. This week its deliver, to said company will be largely increased
 At this place the coke workers hav been aeraewhat alarmed, and the place of those whose fear of the union bal caused them to stop work temporaril, have been filled by new men.
 Order Preserved.
 There has been no violence here up tC this time. MT. A H. Woodward and MT Morris Bush who are in direct charge at Woodward, also Superintendent Per kins at the mines, do not apprehend any violence They have about 50 deputy sherlffs guarding the property in It's every part. The work train which runs from mine to furnace has mounted on it's en- zine a Colts rapid-fire connon for de- fense, and it moves along in an undis- turbed way. The very presence of this death-dealing instrument is thought tc have salutary effect.
 MT Woodward tells me that the men oi his force most disturbed are a number ot his old employees, who have worked faith fully for years and acquired homes oi their own Their lives and their property have been threatened and many of them through fear of passing at dark hours from their work places to their homes have resigned their positions. The iso- lated positions of their homes render the jeopardy and cause the fear He tells me that many of the workmen live ir Bessemer. Birmingham and Woodlawn and in these places, their homes being fully protected, they have no fear
 Whites and Blacks. A fixed plan of the Woodwards. which has been in vogue for years, is to have their working force about 20 per cent white and 80 per cent colored. Experience has taught them that this pro rata of the two races brings best results. In as- signing places in the mines no distinction is made on account of race or color-the best miners always getting the best places.
 Mir Woodward informs me that for the first time in the history of strikes of coal miners in this district efforts are be- ing made to induce coke drawers, iron ore miners and furnace men to join in the strike but with no success at this place so far. Some days ago there was cessa- tion of work at the ore mines, caused by the breaking Ol dll lf1lpOildn pittc oi chinery From this fact 1t was currently rumored that the ore miners had aban- doned these mines and joined the strike.
 Company Holding Its Own.
 The strongest evidence of the fact that the Woodwards are holding their own vigorously against the strike is that since this trouble in the district began this company has blown in fur mace No. 5, which had been out of blast for months. The company oper- ates two SOo-ton and one 15O-ton fur naces, and today consums 25 per cent more of it's own coal product than it did prior to the strike.
 The pay rolls of the Woodward com- pany contain the names of 2200 men today.
 Mir Woodward tells me that he has on hand now f30 cars of coke and 5000 tons of coal in his bins; and that, there fore, he is fully prepared for any eme,- gency.
 Matter of Wages.
 In November last when the money panic was so depressing and the way looked dark and doubtful the Wood- ward company called it's miners and proposed to them that they might choose between. two alternates: either shut down the mines and bank the fur naces. or accept reduction of 5 cents per ton on the price of mining. The price then was 47 F cents. This propo- sition meant a reduction to 421a cents. The miners signed an agreement, of their own accord, to accept the re- duction and continue work. They did so.
 On July 1, as business conditions were brightning up the old rate of a7h cents was reinstated and this is