The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-02-23
COAL
STRIKE IS OFF
Guardsmen Are Withdrawn as
Soon as Operators and
Miners Sign Peace.
KILBY WILL MEDIATE
Governor Accepts Position of
Arbitrator to Save Con-
suming Public.
(ey The Associated Press) i.

Toy Inc ASSOCIATED FFeSSls
MONTGOMERY Ala, Feb. 22.-The
Alabama coal strike ended today. Con-
current with an order by the United
Mine Workers of Alabama suspend
ing the strike, Alabama national
guardsmen were withdrawn from the
affected area by executive order
signed at 1855 p. m.
BY agreement between the coal ope-
rators and the union, the entire ques-
ton of settlement has been placed in
the hands of Governor Kilhy, who has
accepted the office of mediator. The
governors decision and orders viii be
final.
The pledge of the operators is
signed by James Bonneyman, chair
man; G. F. Peter, Frank Nelson. Jr.;
Charles f. de Bardlaben and Frank G.
Morris. The mine workers pledge is
executed by Van "A. Bittner, chief
representative; J. r. Kennamer, pres
ident district No. 2; William Harrison,
international board member district
No. 90 and J. l.. Clemo, secretary
treasurer of district No. 20.
Agreement between the operators
and the union was brought through
the efforts of Victor H. Hanson, Birm-
ingham publisher, who acted as rep
resentative of the people of Alabama.
Mr.. Hanson presented the pledges
to Governor Kilby last night and was
in conference with him until early to-
day when announcement was made
that the governor accepted the task
imposed upon him.
In presenting the agreement to Gov
ernor Kilby. Mr.. Hanson urged the
of a commission to aid
him in arriving at just and proper
terms of settlement and 1t was stated
that such board of advisors will be
named. Under terms of the agree
ment, the governor must makeNa all de-
cisions and issue all orders in the
settlement, but this does not preclude
his calling to his aid the services of
a board of investigation.
The first move under the agreement
was an order suspending the strike
by officials of the United Mine Work
ers and an executive order calling the
state troops from the strike area.
In his effort to bring the contending
factions together, Mr.. Hanson told
each that "the public is being slowly
ground to DEATH and that his appeal !
was made on behalf of "the long suf- |
fering people who have nothing to gain |
and all to lose by a continuation of |
this industrial strife" He called upon |
strikers and operators to join in |
agreement whereby neither shall sac
rifice aught of dignity or honor and |
prestige.
The union officials said in their |
a agreement that they are conceding |
their case entirely upon the fairness |
of the governor, so thoroughly we are I
convinced of the merits of our con- !
tention.''
The agreement signed by the opera |
tors committee is brief The pledge |
is made the discussions of orders of |
the governor shall be conclusive and /
binding on us and those we repre- |
sent" This is the first time that the |
operators have agreed to have sub
mitted their case to mediation.
The coal strike was called on Sept. !
3. last year. Various estimates place |
the number of men on strike from
10000 to $4,000. The troops We're or
aered to the coal fields in October last |
year and have been constantly on duty. |
Various disturbances have arisen as
a result of the strike. the most notable
among which was the lynching of !
Baird, a miner, at Jasper,
Walker county, on Jan. 1S. Nine I
members of the state guard are now
under indictment charged with the
execution of the miner. Baird was
the ninth man in Walker county to
meet death as a result Of the strike
war. Killings and rlottng have taken
place in other counties The union
miners were elected from company
houses by court decisions. and tent
colonies were established for the fam
lies of striking miners.