The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-19
Frank s. White, IT,, Pre- sides and Introduces the Speakers at Capitol
 Park Pavilion
NO MALICE KEYNOTE OF VISITING HEAD
 OF MINERS UNION
Says His Organization Uses Strike Only as Last Re sort to Get Justice
 for Its Members
Rx IEEF BAILEY

Ky JEfF bAlLbI
 John P. White, president of the Uni ted Mine workers of America, inn pressed his auditors at Capitol park last night with two distinct assets; That of being sincere and saturateu with the cause he represents, ana ol having utilized the hard knocks re- ceived in the school of experience, or which he is seemingly a post-gradu- ate, to an advantageous degree.
 Frank S. White, Jr., presided at the meeting of the miners at Capitol park and in his opening remarks he took to task the maker of the statement printed in the local press: "The autoc- racy of labor will not be tolerated, by saving, T challenge and deny that statement"
 MT. White introduced all of the speakers of the evening, first calling upon President J. R. Kennemer of the district union. MT. Kennemer reviewed the work of the organization forces so far and stated that he was feel ing so good over it that he had gotten rid of the rheumatism and thrown away his stick. In a detailed way MT. Kennemer outlined the policy of the union, its aims and ambitions, and stated it as his belief that before long 1t would be recognized, 26,Ooo strong, as an organization and not as individuals.
 KING IS INTRODUCED
 MT. White next introduced B. W. had fn lyi kings and are today engaged in a war that will eliminate most of them, but they are crowned, and the kind we need is the B. W. King variety, such as the one who represents the machin- istsr union here tonight" said MT.
 White.
 "An industrial autocracy has been built up that denies miners the right to be gentlemen and raise their lam files in the manner that they shoulo be raised, to choose their associates. Rivers of blood are flowing in Europe on account of the military autocracy that would rule the world, put you have here an industrial autocracy In
 Alabama that is worse for the work
 ing man. Alabama is backward in
 passing laws to protect the producer
 of the wealth of the state. This or
 ganization is coming back and they can't stop 1t. These men have been oppressed industrially just like those people in Russia have been oppressed politically.
 Out at Vivian Sunday afternoon l had my 3-year-old baby with me and when those hundreds of men stood up and repeated that VOW obligation Tn unison she said to me. That's a mighty sweet song they are singing and 1t sounded that way to me. And what want to tell you is that they are learning to sing mighty fast, and they are going to be singing louder and louder all the time, too.'
 PRESIDENT WHITE HEARD President White of the Internation- al Mine Workers was next introduced "When the men who own and oper- ate the mines of Alabama and the men who represent the United Mine Workers union can sit opposite each other and discuss and solve the prob lems that confront them in a mutual way with no hate or i'll feeling for each other, then, and not before, will conditions exist that will eliminate | the need for even a reference to a strike, which is the last resort of the men who go down into the subter- ranean workshops to bring forth coal that means comfort and luxury to the people at hazardous risks said MT | White to an audience of approximate | ly 500, which packed the pavilion at Capitol park when the rain prevented | them from occupying seats in front of l the speakers stand.
 l q know what you men have suf- fered right here in the Birming- l ham district, and if there is man | who has reason for feeling bitter to- ward the operators and the business I men of this district 1t Is John r | White, for when I was here In minor | capacity conducting a strike years age I certainly was made to suffer. But have no hate for anyone, and my mis- 1 sion here is one of peace, as 1 stated l at Vivian Sunday afternoon.
 | q am here to inject some enthu- | siasm into the movement to organ ize this district, this state, and I hope | that the business men and the oper- l ators will realize that these men that tI represent are appealing for only thai which they are entitled to and that i, | Is not their intention to close any mine, as we have long since adopted l the policy of continuing operation un- l til negotiations for increases or ad- l justment of differences have been con. | cluded.
 l STATEMENTS IN PRESS 1 "I now that there is already appearing ! in the public press statements of certain ! individuals who may be only voicins l their own sentiments, who are really tn, | foundation of policy that has for it object and purpose the employment O | hate and to arouse and contribute al much as they can to industrial strife. q am a member of the same commit