The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-20
Strike Is Brought to Official End With Decision Which Gives Complete Victory to Operators Who Resisted De- mands From Beginning.
By FRED H. GoRMLEY

22t-e First National Bank Building
 Montgomery, March 19.-(SpeciaI.) Holding that the strike of coal min CTS forced by the United Mine Work CTS of America in the Birmingham district last September was illegal and immoral" Governor Kilby brought it to an official end late Saturday night with his decision which gave complete victory to the operators who had resisted the demands of the union from the beginning.
 Every important point urged by the union through its representatives as a basis for settlement was lost. The best the union received was the rec ommendation of the governor to the coal operators that they re-employ the efficient union miners when they can do so without displacing those who remained loyal aud faithful through the strike. The best the indi- yidual striking miners received was that the union, having been responsi- ble for their loss of work and the consequent financial loss, should supp port them and their families until 1 such time as they were able to earn livelihood
 MINERS LOSE ALL
 The decision of the governor as arr bitter decided each point against the contentious of the union except the suggestion that there be a permanent arrangement for the settlement of in- dustrial disputes. Governor Kilby could do nothing to bring this about. and frankly said so in his statement. though he expressed the opinion that local committees acceptable to employer and employees of each mine could adjust such disputes.
 Governor Kilby said he kept the pub lie in mind throughout the study and preparation of his decision and sought to erase from his mbind the impression that the settlement could best be reached through a compromise
 "One clothed with the authority of settling industrial controversies nat I urally desires to do something to ap- pease all contendlng factions and this desire is often conducive to a compro- mise verdict regardless of the facts" said the decision of the governor. Be- cause of the effect which I perceive this finding will have oi. the interests of the public, as well as those directly Involved. l have made an effort to re- sist this almost overpowering impulse fbnxr shown to exist and decide the issues without evasion or equivocation, to the end that truth and justice may prevail and that no punishment may be in- flicted on those who are not responsf- ble for this expensive and regrettabls condition."
 THE WAGE SCALE
 Governor Kilby then cited the points insisted upon by the United Mine Workers of America and for analysis took them up by subjects one at time The first was the day wage scale Gov ernor Kilby found that the award of the bitumnous coal commission was made effective in the Birmingham coal district and was approved by the miners organization through the exc cution of the so-caled Ruby contract, Therefore, he discarded this issue,
 The subcontract system came next. Miners representatives complained that this tended to reduce the wage scala because operators leased portions of their mines to others, who employ less experienced miners and who personally maintain supervision over the opera ton and handle all explosives. The op- orators contended that they paid tho same wsSe scale for the operation If the mines under this system as under a direct system of dealing with tho miners. Governor Kilby found that no facts had been submitted supporting the contention that this subcontracf system tended to lower the wage scale. but did find that the system was q pro- lection to inexperienced miners and gave them the experience of old minsrs He therefore discarded this the second l issue.
 RECOGNITION OPTIONAL
 Recognition of the union was the
 third object. Governor Filby found
 asvarfance, wide one. between tho
 figurcs of the operators and mlnernp
 union to the number of nfners who were members of the orxnnf- zation. Operators reported about 17.000 men employed and ahout : 5000 members of tho union. The union gave no figures. but did say
 that the 12OOO men on strike nhould , be re-empI0yed. GoveYnor K1by therefore held that the forcing of Q recognition of the union would fsa- r pose the will of minority oa tha e majority.
 I Events leading up to the strike here : were reviewed. This review included
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