The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-10-31

the miners, said they had served faith
fully during the war at the front and
at home, and were not REDS or Boil
shevists or 1. w. w.
He said the miners were sorry that
a great strike had become necessary,
that would cause harm to the country
and to the public and paralyze industry,
but that the miners were determined to
get their fair share of the profits.
I'VE hate to see suffering caused by
this strike" he declared, but we've
seen our families suffer too long. We
would rather see the public get littlo
bit cold than to see our families suffer"
BLACKWELL SPEAKS
d. Blackwell, whose proposal that
the Individual locals treat with the
operators here to avoid strike was
the inspiration of the meeting, de-
tended the regularity of the assembly.
lie said he regarded it as just as leg al
as any peaceable convention of miners.
Mr.. Blackwell said he had been
through other strikes, and they had
all failed. He declared his conviction
that the miners would serve their best
interests by agreeing to a truce, pend :
ing the outcome of the strike in the
central competitive field. The oper-
ators would agree to this, he said, and
useless struggle would be avoided
AS matter of fact, he said the bene-
fits to be received by the Alabama
miners. if any, would be dependent
upon the success of the strike in the
central competitive field. and the local
miners would better their position If
they awaited the outcome of the strike
in the states directly affected
C. c. Odom, representing Coal VAL
ley lodge No. 1915, was loudly ap-
plauded when he charged that the
meeting was inspired by the Alabama
f1rc 1ccnniQtinn
serted that the Alabama miners had
made their demands regularly through
the national association, and it was TO
their best interests to adhere Loyalty
to the action of the national officials.
Jasper ~ Barnett of Barney local
No 341S said it was of vital import
ance that the miners stand firm TO
their organization, even to the point
! of DEATH and he was applauded
'eYou can't die but once, even IL you
do starve in this strike" said Barnett
1--WE have yielded too often
Barnett cautioned the miners that
they must be peaceable, quiet citizens
during the strike.
r. L. Deason of Townley declare
the meeting was unconstitutional
Smith Terrell introduced the resolu-
tion which declared the meeting cailed
without authority and condemned the
partv or parties responsible for 1t.
John Willingham, VINO succeeue"
blackwell as president of the Bank :
head local. acted as chairman OF the
meeting at Jasper. He also declared
the meeting was irregular and catleo
upon the men present to go back tc
! their locals and preach fidelity TO the
| national organization and the dlstric'
| officials.
Following the meeting, Wdlllnghan'
| stated that charges would be pre-
| ferred against d. Blackwell Tor allesFu
| disloyalty to the union, and that Steps
| would be taken to GUST him.
| coal operators present in Jaspel
| we're much interested in the miners
meeting. hoor
orions evidences of dissatlsfactior
| none, n certain element Of the miners
| Who oppose the walkout on NoVe1lp9'
| on the ground that 1T is syfnfa.
/ betie strike, and one in Whlch tnlS
| district is Interested only lpolrectiiy,
| t1abama miners. they pointed out, VIZ
he striking to help the miners Oh tn'
| central competitive field OBTAIN col,
| tract and even when the latter ma
| been successful in this miners OF ~
| district still will have further neg "a
tion and contention to face. dehcE
tbe PROPOSAL that action be oeIer.e,
in this section, pending the oulcoln'