The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-11

and fair number of days week vastly of the requirements of their immediate family The mills filled with orders from the United government yellow pine lumber and is with extreme difficulty they labor at pes they state they able keep their logging and mills in operation The earnings of the mine workers of Ala bama who willing to work reasonable number of hours day and 1a number of days week. vastly o e earnings of the citizen Alabama that cannot of votor further increase the earnings of this favored class at the of the public and believe that did would aggravate the situation that exasperate the citizens If substantial increase made in must be borne either by the public or by the operators At this time some the ope very margin profit claim that they sustaining os Practically all of the coal mined by the e1cla operators under contract that could grant no re- lief to the operators which would absorb the in the cost of production brought about by an increase in wages
 On the questions of abolition of the contract ubontract fully explained both Mr. Peae and Mr. Nea practical experience the making of day labor To abolish the system large output without benefit anyone there has been complaint the system from the officers local and national, of the United Mine Workers of America
 glance at the output of coal in Alabama will show that in this 191 prior the Reorganization disturbance caused by the agitation of the union labor leaders effort to change conditions production increased month by mont
 that decreased during this disoganzaton and disturbance but with the subsistence of the union movement and continuation o the shop policy the began to and today the greatest the history of the e notwithstanding shortage of railroad and other deterrent We believe that ii the United Mine Workers of America call strike this district and the left free to handle their property the in the state of Alabama will produce more coal in the next SIX months than will be possible produce if they forced into sembance of settlement with the union which will thor ough dorganize forces and drive them from the district at least from the coal thousands of good who will not WOrK under WlOn d0mlnaton
 We desire however insofar may be possible meet the wishes of the administrations and while believe that the action outlined will be taken by the administration the of strike that will seriously reduce the output of coal will in effect for the duration of the all of the rules letter November 2 together with the of fer made ill this letter relating the hours of work which feel are necessary proper.
 So that you readily understand the extent which have gone purely from desire cooperate with administrations attaching of the letter written November 27. As operators submitting rulings the involved herein stated feel that is Washington Yours respectfully,
 (sgned} c. B MCCORMACK.
 (Copy).
 The Raleigh E1ote Washington, D. C.. November 27 1917. Dr. H. A. Garfield
 Fuel Administrator, City
 Dear Sir
 Ont of deference apprehension that there likely to be interruption of the coal production Alabama unless adjustment of the which you have been informed producing unrest beg to submit to the following:
 The Coal Operators Association Alabama attempt deal with the selling of coal the fixing scales of the hours of labor The association purely voluntary organized promote the welfare of employees
 It has authority bind of it's members the subjects consideration Upon condition that it will satisfy those gentlemen who the dissatisfied element the coal Alabama will submit to the coal operators of Alabama and recommend the adoption of the following:
 FIRST That the coal operators of Alabama the right employees join any labor organization society they that shall dscTmnated having joined such organization provd always that their utilization in the condr of tic organization nothing done to disturb the relations existing c and providing that employees joining organization ognze the right of each empoye to not he ndvd uay decide and also the right of the insist mploye shall the time purpose other which he is paid and that he not interfere with the operation of the mine knowingly do that which will reduce the output
 SECOND: That they wl upon application through the usual