Arizona republican., 1894-07-06
WILD RUMORS. Reports of Strike Out rages in the Territory. Arizona Militia not Like
 ly to be Needed. The Bar Between the Local
 Soldiery and Bloodshed.
How Phoenix Is Affected by the Strike-A Dread Possibility That
 Beer Faucets VIII Run Dry.

Barley yesterday morning rumors of strike outrages within the confines of Arizona became current on the street. It was reported that the railroad bridge at Yuma had been blown up and that an attempt was being made to destroy the penitentiary buildings, that great deal of the Southern Pacific track at the same place had been torn up and that the strikers and lawless classes were in possession. There were also stories of outrage and violence at vari ous points on the Atlantic & Pacific. It was also reported that request had been received at the governors office for Companies B and c of the National guard,
 The rumors were found to be utterly without foundation. Acting Governor Bruce was seen regarding contingency which could call out the National guard. He said that under the circumstances such contingency was not probable and hardly possible. In the first place, so far as he officially knew, all was
 
 disturbance it was unlikely that the National guard would take the field. In the first place, though there was 8 small appropriation for maintaining the National guard, there was absolute ly no provision for even paying the ex- penses of the men while engaged in active duty. It seemed to have never been contemplated that the guard should ever leave the places at which the companies have been formed.
 The acting governor also said that he was without power to call the military out. Should de mand be made upon him he could only inform tine secretary of the interior of the situation and await instructions.
 The governor of territory lacks the sovereign authority to control the move ment of the local militia. It was probable, Mir. Bruce thought, that if there was need of protection beyond that that the sheriffs could furnish that the government would order out the regular troops. The posts are so loca- ted that within tWenty-four hours 8 body of troops could be thrown into al- most any railroad point in the territory. Altogether it was quite improba- ble that in any event that could arise during the strike the National guard of Arizona would be called into service.
 Phoenix was never so isolated as now. The great food was not marker. All kinds of business are affected and many kinds are almost suspended. No dan ger is apprehended in fact no loss is possible except loss of time. The banks naturally have nothing to do but receive local deposits. Retail mer- chants are not affected except by fear of running low on stock. Some kinds are already'running low. Grocers are beginning to hedge in the matter of sugars rather to prevent "corners" than to preserve their stock. Usually only one dollars worth will be sold to the same person at one time.
 The beer situation is also creating alarm. Only two carloads are in town now and it is being distributed from the depots with great discretion. Many gentlemen are becoming thirsty from mere apprehension and inwardly groan- ing with fear of possibility that the strike will be in progress after the beers out.
 Seven employees of the Maricopa & Phoenix have been emporarily laid off and only enough are retained to make the daily round trip to Maricopa and look after the offices and machinery.
 Business in the telegraph office has increased immensely. The wire is made to take the place, to some extent, of the postal service. No love letters or irrelevant matter are coming by tele- graph. The messages, however nu- merous, are brief, precious and to the point like the letters sent overland by the pony express forty years ago.
 The hotel business is not in as dilapi dated condition as might be imagined. If there are no arrivals there are no departures. There is sort of healthy and good-natured congestion. Many travelling men who were caught in the blockade at Prescott, Tucson and else where within possible reach of Phoenix are slowly coming by stage and freight train to spend necessarily indefinite period as enjoyably as possible.