The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-01
Miners Afraid To Return
 To Work Al Short Greek
Sixty Farmers Are Drawing Supplies From the United Mine Workers Commissary- -Mulga Model Mining Camp-Idle Men Buying Large Quan-
 titles of Ammunition.
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

Short Creek, July 31.-(Special) )-Pecu- liar conditions exist here at this isolated mining town in the rugged hills of south west Jefferson. It cannot be accounted strike. It is simply 'quit' at this place. Its only resemblance to strike is the appearance of punches of idle men, all apparently in good humor; and the grinning faces that appear at the free ration car of the United Mine Work CTS. This car has just arrived and its contents are now being transferred to a country wagon drawn by two farm mules, the appearance of which said animals indicates that they have worked hard, 'laid-by' the crop and are today utilized as dispensers of charity to. not only striking miners, but even to com munity farmers, from the bounteous store of the United Mine Workers.
 Out for a Day.
 This mine is practically shut down to- day. It happens in this way: Several days ago a local was organized here, it's charter membership consisting of two white miners, five negro miners and about 60 farmers. Some few of these farmers had worked in the mines for one or two days and then worked themselves into the union: and struck" for the free bread baskets. The purpose of this af- filiation is made plain by the innocent prattle of little child. This child, the daughter of one of the striking" farm CTS, said to one of the officers here: q am so glad the union is coming to Short Creek, cause papa has laid by his crop and will join and get things to eat free" Hence the rapid recruiting of the Short Creek miners local. Excellent matter for encouraging reports of progress.
 Only Quit"
 The quit at these mines which say cannot be accounted a strike, was brought about by absolute intimidation in this wse negro unionst, who was a real striker entered through a private unused narrow passage into the mines and told the negro miners that they had better cease work immediately, other wise their lives and their homes would be in danger; that the strikers had sworn vengeance upon all who continued work here Through intense fear these ne- groes forthwith laid down their tools and left the mines, reporting to the fore man and the superintendent that they had done so, not as union men, but be- cause they feared violence Today these men are on the grounds of the company. many of them sitting on the front porch of the superintendent's office. as if really seeking protection. Some few are anx ious and willing to take the chances and return to work. but this number is not sufficiently large to accomplish much good today and there is a shut down at Mine No. l. The coke drawers. however. are boldly and vigorously at work. The only difference here is that these men work in the day instead of at night. as heretofore.
 Mine In Action.
 Short Creek mine No. is today well in action The full capacity of this mine is 500 tons and the output here today Is 450 tons. The 60 coke ovens here and tha 100 at No. 1 are in full blast. shinments today to the furnaces were eight cars.
 These mines are the property of tho Birmingham Coal and Iron companv at the head of which are MT H. M. Atlsin- son, president, and Mir. James Ronpv- man, general manager and treasurer This company IS new, but strong and yigorous It has invested immense sums of money in the purchase of lands and in improve ments. It owns 43OOO acres of mineral lands in this district. has six coal ,,,ines and two blast furnaces. It's machinar,, is of the most modern make and its de- partment heads men who stand b,gh 1T, the mining and financial world uara a4 Short Creek they are making rreat i'm provements, replacing antiouated ma chinery and new and up-to-date nower and are daily enlarging the capacitv os their mines. Soon the new omtfit wtII be applied at No. ?, and the capacitv