The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-26

Am just waiting for some nice girl
to discover how willing l am to get
married." says his honor
leaders that if he said thing. he meant
it, and would carry it out. His first act
was to pull down lot of tents and or
der the occupants to move on in small
bodies. This convinced the officers of the
United Mine Workers that he meant
what he said. His next move was to- =
say to Mr.. Lewis, who had the matter
In charge. IF you do not settle this
thing by Monday at 10 o'clock, I'll settle
it for you"
1t was a fortunate thing that We had
a governor of decision and nerve to act
when he was satisfied that he was right
1t saved the state the loss of much money
and blood by his prompt action.
He has set a precedent that win be
of great value to the state In the future
A short history of how that bloody af-
fair was managed should be written up
and recorded at the state house in the
city of Montgomery for the guidance OF
future governors in similar affairs
The operators are now in position to
handle labor in a manner to keep down
the striking element for a long period,
provided they will pay as liberal wages.
as the business will justify and to bel
liberal and just in management The mem
should be taught to know that their in
terest is looked after and cared for I'M
a safe and reliable manner. much SGT
as if they were protected by union.
1 would go still farther. Let each CONS
pany belonging to the Coal Operators ass
ISOLATION. through its president and board
of directors. select from the ranks OF
their employees, three men, selected for
fhair skill l1ndergroi1nd worl<man and
paid by the company when on commit
tee duty, to act as a committee to whom
all differences should be referred, as
much So had they been appointed by a
union; they to hear all complaints that
had merit enough to be looked into; this
committee to represent the men with the
superintendent Should they fail to settle
their differences of opinion in a way that
they thought to be fair and right, they
should then make a report to the presi-
dent of the company without creating a
feeling between them and their superin-
tendent; they, the committee, having the
right and authority to report to the board
of directors, who had appointed them.
The board could call for further infor-
nation from any source to be able to
decide in fair and impartial manner
in any question that might arise. A fur
Their duty of this committee should be-
to examine all underground workings,
lation of gas, coal dust and the cleanli-i
ness of the mines in fact, anything that.
might be detrimental to life property.
Mining journals and any other litera-
ture that might aid in the education OF
the committee should be subscribed for byf
the company and furnished the commits
tee.
If there were 100 Mines that woulds
give an educational system for 800 men.
An expert mining engineer should bel
employed by the Coal Operators asso-l
citation and appointed president and in-
structor of these committees that theyI
might be versed in all matters as to boil-
ers, machinery and underground work.
ings.
In a reasonable length of time, a systentl
like this would have a force to be drawn
from for promotion as pit bosses and SUI
perintendents, etc. Periodically, there
should be a selection of one of their mem I
bers from each mine in the district, to-,
act as inspectors of all the mines in the
district, a car and engine should be fur
nished to enable them to go from one
mine to another. stopping at each COLI
liery long enough to make thorough
examination of all property connected
with the association.
The mining engineer acting as presi-
dent of this joint committee should make
his reports TO the president OF the asso-l
citation
In my opinion, something of this kind.
II put into motion after a thorough can
wasting of the matter has been done by
the association, great good will come from
1t, many mine accidents would be avoid
ed. and a more healthy understanding
and good feeling between employers and
employees will come about.
As to my own feelings, I am not
averse TO progressive labor. but dead
against shotgun labor. There never was
a time whel there was a better oppor
tunity TO have the men feel that they
have an interest in the properties now be-
ing worked than at present. ] would
be glad to a return of the good
feeling that existed in the early days
when the mon threw up their hats for
the boss" No owner nor manager can
be happier than when his men meet
him with smiling faces. The Birmingham
district is now emerging into a new
era. The business will expand and grow
to great proportions. We should avoid
troubles that are ahead of us for as
many years as possible The next period
of trouble will not be with army for.
$4,000 or 5000; to my mind there will be-
30 600 to be dealt with.