The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-16
Rank and File Circulate
ID ands Through
5000 Leaflets
BULLETIN

bthMAN6hAs1, Ala, AaFeA -.
Strike votes Of Representatives 81
eight captive coal mines forecast
the spreading Of the strike m the
Alabama coal fields 10 4,ee0 more
miners. This viii bring the total
out to 1900. The captive mine
workers in the Tennessee Coal T.
Iron Co., the Woodward Iron Co.
and the Republic Steel Corpora
ton mines, the heart Of the IN
dustries Of the South, are affected.
Governor Miliers mediation"
Board has failed thus far to break
the strike.
More troops, according to De-
putty Bill Alexander, are being
sent TO Bradford and Porter To
check pickets, with blood in their
eyes"
Rank and file committees in the
UM.W.A. and A. F. of L. In leaflets
brand william Mitch. President of
the U.M.W.A. district, a. a strike
breaker, and working in close CO.
operation with troops, and the
C.C.C. camp at TOwnIy, the dan
ger spot"
Judge H. ]. Martin placed nine
strikers under peace bonds yes4er-
day after their arrest for picket
ing the Johnson Manufacturing
Co. where they fought scabs.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, March IA
The strike in the Alabama coal fields
n seven counties Is spreading, until
now II 1000 of a total of 5000 en-
oloyed miners are fighting for union
recognition, and against the worst
in any mines in the
county.
The rank and file are strengthen
ng their ranks, rallying around
heir demands, despite the obstruc-
ions of their UM.WA. leadership.
IN many places, there is spontaneous
mass picketing, while mine owners
and union heads daily negotiations
behind closed doors in the swanky
Thomas jefferson Hotel IN Birming-
nam.
Why the Check off?
The main issue the U.MW.A. Of
1cials are raising is the check of,
which would mean big pickings for
hem. while the coal diggers' starva-
ion wages Of 50 and So a day, and
10 to II hours work are being ig-
1ored.
Governor Miller Of Alabama has
appointed General John Persons of
he National Guard as neutral
member" Of the committee. Persons
S associated with the First National
Bank. controlled by the powerful
Coal g. Iron Co., Nor
controlled U. S. Steel subsidiary.
He yesterday again proved his
neutrality" when he ordered out
another battalion of the National
Guard to the strike area In Jeffer-
;on County. The troops are being
lsed to terrorize the miners into
the result of the negotia-
ions between the UM.W.A. officials
and the mine owners.
Two hundred miners picketing the
Porter mine accosted scabs, asking
hem to join the strike. Sheriff
Hawkins called on Governor Miller
md General Persons for more
,roops. TITS question Of bloodshed
,r backing down" the sheriff de-
,lared.
Troops were also sent to Bradford
nine. The mine company truck
,srrying II extra guardsmen to Al
'idge refused to halt on the miners
demand, 50 it was fired on.
Miners Victory
The case against the little Ca
laba miners for disarming Is thugs,
as sheriffs, was held over
" the grand jury as they "felt It
lot advisable this time, in view of
he situation, to indict" This is a
partial victory for the miners,
hough the indictment can be raised
gain later.
Negro and white miners, as well
Is employed and unemployed, are
lighting militantly. But real leader
hip from the rank and file must be
elected. The miners ranks must be
around their own de-
hands to prevent sell-outs and the
,reaking Of the strike by the labor
,oard's maneuverings.
The U.M.W.A. rank and file oppo-
ition is organizing to help spread
he strike. calling on the miners to
lose all mines, and elect their own
trike committees with sole powers
# negotiation and settlement.
Demands
They are rallying the miners
round the following demands:
Recognition of the union. with
.heck-off for union dues going to
he local treasures; against all COM
)any union schemes: a basic day
ate of $40 for outside workers,
md S440 for inside labor; So cents
Yer ton, with minimum of four
,ars a day; abolition of contracting;
,qual pay for equal work. and the
light of Negro miners to any job: an
,ight-hour day; re-installing of free
to work and for
arger lighthouses; reduction In
high commissary prices and lower
powder prices; government cash re-
lief for all striking and unemployed
miners.
Five thousand leaflets with these
demands have been spread IN the
nine fields.