The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-08
MINERS COMMITTEE IS NOT DISCUSSING
 B|TTNER OR STRIKE
Interested In Future of Union Organization In Alabama. Will Make Public State
 ment Shortly, Green

The organization committee of the United Mine Workers of America will probably have reached some decision with regard to it's future policy in Ala bama some time today. and formulate the same. Public announcement will probably be made of the policy that is outlined
 When asked again about the stay of Van Bittner, international representa- tive William Green, secretary of the international union. and chairman of the organization committee, said last night: This affair is bigger than any individual and is of far more importance than the movements or other matters af- fecting any individual. The individual does not count in the more serious and deep-lying affairs With which we are en- gagged
 We have given very little considera- ton to any individual matter or com ment on individuals since arriving here, but we have been very busy with the general situation and trying to come to a conclusion on that.
 IN CONFERENCE
 We spent practically the entire day with the district officers. We have lis tened carefully to all they had to say, and vel have made every effort to gather all the data that we should possess in order to come to wise conclusion.
 I've feel inclined to believe that, with what we shall then have in hand. we should be able some time tomorrow to formulate our future policy with regard to union affairs in Alabama
 MT. Green was asked if the com mittee would make public an official an of the policy to be pursued in Alabama He replied that this action would probably be taken.
 John Zimmerman, member of the com nittee from Illinois, does not take gloomy view of the miners situation in Alabama, from union standpoint. lie said, in substance:
 T am not giving up Alabama It is simply behind other coal-producing states in sensing what collective bar gaining stands for and means to both sides. It was that way in Illinois years ago when we began the struggle for col lective bargaining.
 '1n the early days of our efforts well remember that a man was promptly fired if he did not trade in company store. The miner was not even allowed to present complaint as to ventilation. It is just a matter of education.
 ABOUT NEGROES
 "As to the negro, my idea is that he will do much better as workman and will prove more thrifty if he is put on his own efforts and told to sink or swim by them. I think the southern people encourage thriftiessness in the negro by assuming that he is thrift less and treating him as a kind of good ratured and an irresponsible element.
 Tn our relations with negro miners in Illinois we no more encourage soolaf equality than is done down here. We tell the negfb that he must make good as a workman the same as white man, and that from an industrial standpoint we expect the same results. They reside in their separate quarters and live so- ciaily to themselves. In fact, they seem to wish to live apart from the whites.
 There are 500 negro miners in our union and most of them own their own homes.
 '.It all takes time. It took time in Illinois. It will take time to develop collective bargaining in Alabama, but it will be done.'