The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-15

estimate of the number of heads of fam ilies and their dependents in actual need of immediate relief The information ob- talned as to population and number of men employed in the various mining camps and communities was obtained from the officials of the local miners unions, storekeepers and other persons long resident in these communities. As a basis of it's estimate your com mittee took April g. 1921 (the last day on which food was supplied by the United Mine Workers of America) to May ', on which date food was sup piled by the local organizations, to prac- tically the same people.
 On April the total number of people supplied food by the United Mine Work CTS in Jefferson county was about lS,'92, which includes men, women and children On May there had been supplied by the local unions 46i0 men, women and chli- dren.
 It would be impracticable, owing to it's length to furnish in this report the specific cases of need or their locatloh 1 but this information can be furnished any organization that may be designated to supply them and furnish the necessary relief
 COMMUNITIES | Eron, the 37 mining communities inves tigated. where striking miners have lived we have obtained the following informa- 1 tion: u | l. We find the population of these 3i
 oinirr camns or communities was de- creased from April to May rom ap- proximately 469S to 1926 families, tne decrease being largtly due to immigra- tion to other parts of the state and coun- try. |, need of no relief, and will not be in the immediate future.
 q There are 50 families in the mining district which are in immediate need of supplies. .. 4. There are 141 families located in 16 mining camps which will require rellef within two weeks unless the heads or families can secure employment in the meantime Of these families, 5S2 are To- cated al Pratt City
 5. Your committee is pleased to report that in all these communities the health is excellent. In fact, no sickness IS re- ported in any of the camps G. Unless proper food is provided m adenuate quantities the health of l92 children under years of age in families not listed as requiring relief will be i'm paired within the next few weeks This number added to the children in those families needing relief makes total of S45 under 5 years of age who VIII require adequate supplies of proper food until such time as same can De pro- vided by their parents
 CHANGE OF PLAN
 your committe would not recommend a continuance of the present plan or that adopted by the union for the care Of these people, as the situation does not warrant it, nor would it be practical' but that some steps should be taken TOT immediate and temporary rehet Ill many cases, there is no question:
 But whatever is done should be upon the plane of benevolent charity, Wnich will enable these people to preserve their se1f-respect and at the same time inspire them with courage to help themselves.
 The situation is not unlike, except in it's magnitude, that of the helpless waif left on your doorstep, for thess peorle have followed in a blind faith a directing hand which has apparently left them without the means of sus- tenance or the guidance of counsel
 BROTHERS IN DISTRESS
 They are our brothers in distress and their pitiful condition should unloose the latch strings of our charity in the same wise and generous way in which we responded to every call for aid during the war.
 Your committee naturally feels that the United Mine Workers of America should join with this community to the full extent of it's ability in taking care of situation created by it's own or ders. and especially should they do this if the funds are placed in the hands of men who know and appreciate the obligation of a trust and the proper expenditure of same.
 In conclusion your committee desires to suggest the following plas for