The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-08-20
WHAT MINES MEAN
To THIS DISTRICT
County's Future Dependent On
Their Operation
NEED FOR PROTECTION
Writer Says the Men Who Want To
Work Must Be Allowed To
Do So Unmo-
Tested.
NEED FOR PROTECTION
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
Has it ever occurred to the citizens of
this district that our prosperity and
living now our hope for continued growth
and welfare. the success and perpetuity
of our business affairs, is absolutely de-
pendent upon the continued and profitable
operation of our coal mines and furnaces?
Has it occurred to us that unless the
people of this district protect the plants
and employees of the corporations and in
dividual mine owners that sooner or later
we may see shutdown of plants, which
, will dwarf our growth sor years to come
Without going into a discussion of the
| differences between the operators and the
miners, it seems that on account of the
reign of terror through which we are
passing, that men here and elsewhere
who desire to work in the mines are de-
tered from doing so by the fear of per-
sonal violence from those who have vol
unfairly given up their work and elected
to remain idle. 1t seems that there is an
organization in our midst bent upon
forcing the mine owners to recognize
their unions, to employ only their MEM
bers, on conditions and at wages named
by them, or TO close down their plants
and cause financial wreck to all business
enterprises in our midst. 1t so happens
that the lives and liberties of a great
number of our people have been threat
ened and destroyed.
1t seems that the sheriff, aided by the
governor of our state and the state
militia, has been unable to cope with the
situation, and that lives have been sacri-
right of free men to work in free state
under conditions and for wages satisfac-
tory to themselves, has been denied. The
mine owners have been forced daily to
spend thousands of dollars, not for the
legitimate operation of their plants, but
to protect their property from destruction
and their men from death. This state of
affairs has justly aroused the righteous
Indignation of our people, and the time
decisive action is not only necessary but
must be had. Certain officials of this or
ganization have in drastic terms criti-
cised the sheriffs office and the governor
of the state, but SO far as is known have
extended no direct aid in tracing down
and bringing to justice the perpetrators
of murder and arson which have been so
open and damnable in our midst.
1t is not my purpose to charge the
sheriffs office, nor the miners union
with the crimes which have been commit
ted. If it be traceable to the sheriff's Of
flee, as has been claimed by Mr.. Farley,
then the sheriffs office should be held ac-
countable; If it be traceable to the miners
union, then the officers directing this
strike should be held accountable. The
state of Alabama cannot afford to harbor
in it's borders men who dishonor the law.
and If the state be powerless, then the
people of this and adjoining counties
should come to its aid in putting a stop
to this disgraceful condition of affairs,
and in their might say to the union miner,
we cannot force you to work, we do not
deny your right to quit work, but '.by the
Eternal we shall see to it that the prop
erty of individuals and corporations shall
be protected, and men now here mr. who
desire to come here to work shall be
allowed to do SO, unmolested by day or
by night
unerringly place the responsibility where
it properly belongs, and whoever is re-.
sponsible should be considered as unde-
srable citizens of this state
I2irminoha m August 10 1Q02