The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-16
NOT ID RECOGNIZE NOH CONFER NITY
 UN.0N OFFICIALS Reply to Governor KiIby In De- tail Regarding Proposal for Appointment of CommIs-
 sion to Settle Strike
Fly FRED H. GORMLEy Montgomery Bureau Tho Ags- Herald
 22I.2 Eirst National Rank p.iia.nr

Montgomery, October 15.- Special - Coal operators will not join with the United Mine Workers of America in submitting their differences to an arbitration commission ap- pointed by Governor Kilby. In long statement received by Governor Kilby late Friday the coal operators committee de- clared that they would not join the mine workers and re- iterated their previous state ment that they will absolutely refuse to treat with the organi- zation in any shape, manner or form.
 The reply submitted to the governor goes into detail with respect to tho strike. the set reasons why the coal operators have heretofore declined to deal with the miners union and do now decline to deal with it, the acts of violence that preceded the coming of the military, the presence of outsiders in charge of the strike in this stata, the race question, the findings of the coal commission and the like In con- clusion the operators again declare:
 "Wc will not recognize the
 United Mine Workers of America,
 nor will we deal directly or in-
 directly with any of it's officials or
 representatives; we will not meet
 with MT. Nan Bittner and his ss-
 sOcintes to discuss the reeom-
 mendations or the bituminous coal commission, or for any other pur-
 pose, in auy connection, anywhere,
 or at any time. We know his pur-
 poses too well, and know they boae
 no good to the public, the miners or ourselves,
 NOT MADE PUBLIC
 Governor Kilby did not make public the statement saying that it was a mat ter which should be handled by sh- writer. The coal miners made pnhlia their request for the appointment of tas commission before the original letter Haa received by the governor. C5pems- kilby was disappointed that tn. opsa~ tors would not join in the co ucea believing that the appointment of an ar- btration commission might lead to settlement of the strike. He thought the statement of the miners that they were willing to arbtrate all point of differ willing to arbitrate all points of differ point which has become involved in the strike.
 However, the coal operators have per- sistently declined to submit to arbtra- tion or even to consider the matter Of recognizing the union.
 Since there has been talk of moving the soldiers from the district Governor kiby has received a large number Ot letters urging that they be kept in the strike zone for the protection of many miners who are working and who de- sire to continue their work. One letter was from a negro, w'io sadi 79 per cent of the miners are negroes. that a large ma joTty desire to continue to work without molestation and desire the pro- tecton of the military forces in nam taning the constitutional guarantee of life, liberty and the pursuit of happl- ness"
 The miners plan of arbitration was for a board consisting of a represen tative of the union, d coal operator and representative of the public. The plan necesitated dealing with the union. The refusal of the operators to accept the plan was as anticipated Their pre- pared statement to the governor foi' lows.
 OPERATORS STATEMENT Hon. Thos. F. kIby, Governor,
 Montgomery, Ala.
 Dear Sir;
 We beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 18th. instant, trans- hitting to us a letter directed to you by
 tCOntinued on Page EiGhteen.)