The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-23

II fear, cared little and thought less about the reaI issue involved, and so | long as rcs,ce obtained and the law
 was not unduIy violated, we have
 looked on and suffered with timid
 patience difficult to comprehend
 Until intimidation, property de- struction and at last ambushed mur- der followed each other in rapid uc-
 cession, We, as a whole, hardly realized tha. a sericus labor conflict was in
 progress.
 Fortunately for us, the governor ef our state, with a wisdom and courage worthy of his high office, saw before we saw, what situation had nris m which threatened and challenged the good name of our state. and while we slept he promptly and effectively oc- d
 PUT STEINER IN CHARGE
 Under his orders the territory sur rounding the coal mines was pla ced under military control, and General steiner entrusted with full authority 10 maintain law and order. With rare courage and ability he has restored and maintained order in our midst; has aro- tected from intimidation atrl coer,ion those of our citizens who desired to work and has publicly announced his intention to see that the laws of this state shall not be held in contempt Ly any body of men no matter how rich or how powerful
 For some time since his coming his authority and the wisdom of his ac- ttons seemed to have been accepted in good faith by both the operators and the union. Under his administration. production at the mines has constan lv increased, and the sore needs of fhe people have at least been partly sup piled
 Men who really desired to work. hut who have been prevented by threats and intimidation, were free and safe to follow their vocation. The effect ye- ness of this strike was gradually being loosened and normality of coal produc- ton under safe and peaceful conditio IS was actually in sight.
 And now on the scene comes enc Van Bittner. heralded not only as a nigh official in great union, but as a sHreWd and masterful leader and nan lpuiator of strikes. Without delay he grasped the reins of leadership. fnd through the press and by word Of
 mouth proclaimed his intentions ard purposes. and assumed whatever re- sponsloility his leadership entailed
 coming, stranger to our laws and customs with a name which at least sussests foreign birth and associations. With uhplushing freedom he has not hesltated to publicly condemn moi on1v 'He governor of the state but the ad- :, tratlon of our laws by those 1aaal- " chafged with their enforcement Tn to snort time ago his displeasure and venom seemed to be limited to idle "oios privately and nubliclv expressed
 TAKES PLAINER FORM
 hecehtiy. however, at his call meet ils or all locals was had and certain t +esoiu.lons were adopted with reference miners from working, which come in plaln, direct and open conflict with inc idWs or our state, as now being admin istered by General Steiner and his troons
 ontli this bold and illegal action was taken, the people as a whole. seemed content to suffer privations and injustice ana await Whatever settlement by lawful ana ai peacetul means seemed possible Ihey seemed to feel that this fight was solely between the operators and inc union. and, that their interests were in- cidental rather than direct and real
 Ihese resolutions, however, have made all the people of Alabama parties to this controversy, for when our laws are openiv defed. whether by our own people or by 1orelgn interlopers, those charged with tieir enforcement must and will have the united support of every loyal cti- zen.
 There have been other times when paid agltators and meddlers have sought to challenge authority and defy the laws or the state of Alabama History and memory of living men have given us ac- curate records of each attempt. and these records. by Van Bttner, might, with profit he read