The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-03
SLIGHT INCREASE . IN PRODUCTION IF
 COAL YESTERDAY
Reports From District Indi- cate so Per Cent of Nor mal-Ample for Needs,
 and Other Sections

Coal is being produced at the mines in this district at the rate of about so per cent of normal, it was stated yester- day by operators.
 At some of the larger mines it was stated that production was above nor nal for the first time in months, at one mine the production bemg no per cent and at another, operated by the same company, 115 per cent of normal Several others reported slightly above normal.
 Only in two or three sections of the district was there any serious diminu- ton of output, and these are the places that suffered most at the beginning of the strike
 More men were at work yesterday operators claimed, than on any pevious day since the strike began, and the in- dications are that by the end of the week very few men will be idle in the mining district.
 The union officials claimed yehterday afternoon that more than 50 per cent of the miners had quit work, but reports from the mines did not bear out their claims. At some of the mines claimed to be shut down. practically full crews were at work, and at others produc- tion was about 50 per cent of normal
 Four or five mines are closed down and the prospects are that they will not be started up for several days.
 The larger operating corporations seem to be suffering less than the smaller ones. The union officials, admitting this to be the case, alleged that they are not as well organized at the mines ops erated by the larger companies as at the smaller places.
 The situation is getting better every day, said one of the leading operators xrh fAr dax of ffap -A be operating on a normal basis in a few days. The IA per cent advance in wages proposed by National Fuel Admin istrator Garfield and voluntarily accept ed by the operators in this district which went into effect on December l. has had the effect of bringing produc- tion above normal at many of the mines
 "The men actuated by the increased wages and feeling of loyalty are work ing more generally than usual. The coal mines in this district could supply the needs of Birmingham ands the terri tory ordinarily supplied by them, but the shipments required to be made into new territory reduces the amount avail able for our people"
 At the union headquarters it was claimed yesterday that the mines Tn Bibb county, part of those in Tuscaloosa county and a few in Jefferson and Walk CT counties were shut down, and that 50 per cent of the miners in the district were not working.
 From information obtained at the or fees of the coal companies and from sources not directly connected with min ing operations it is believed that the output for the first days of this week approximated 75 per cent of normal. with the record of the second day exceiling that of the first. Many miners who did not return to work either Monday or yesterday have signified their intention to be back on the job in a day or two.
 Early reports of last weeks produc- tion received by the Alabama Coal Op- orators association indicate that the out put for the six days ending last Satur day eoualied. if it did not exceed. that of the preceding week, when it was over 27o, coo tons.
 While production this week may not be as great as it was last week. it is estimated that it will not fall much short of that