The copper era., 1905-11-02
CONTRACT LABOR
 AT ROOSEVELT. The Case of AcedrO Martinez Looks Much Like it-Question as to
 His Sanity.
From the Globe Belt.


 Acedro Martinez bids fair to become an international issue if his state ments can be verified. He was brought here by deputy sheriff from Roosevelt last week who brought a letter from the surgeon in charge of the government hospital. This docu- ment ayers that Acedro was taken tc the hospital there suffering from epilepsy: that he had convulsions every fifteen to thirty minutes for about eight hours, being unconscious most of the time. That after he re- gained consciousness he remained in a dazed condition; therefore they for warded him to Globe for examination as to his sanity.
 In the absence of Judge Robertson he was committed to jail and lies there now pretty sick man.
 Again and again it has been charged that large gangs of Mexi- cans were being imported for work on the government improvements with the knowledge and consent of the officials. As often has it been denied, but Acedro tells a different tale. He m y not be coherent at all times, nor could it be expected that he should after all he has gone through.
 He tells one straight story that he sticks to with more than a lunatic's persistency. He distinctly and re- peatedly says that a white man came to Santa Maria and agreed with large number of Mexicans to trans port them through to Roosevelt where they would have steady work at good pay; that the Mexicans paid the man SIS Mex for the job and transportation. He further claims that they were taken to Fl Paso, fed at a restaurant and put on a car which brought them through to Globe-a whole car load of them.
 They marched to Roosevelt and went to work for the government. Acedro says he worked thirteen or more days; that he is subject to epileptic fits and had a severe at tack and. was taken to the hospital where he remained until they brought him here. He is willing and anxious to return to Santa Maria and natur- ally claims that he is not insane, only sick as result of his epileptic attack.
 It should be an easy matter to verify or discredit this tale and if found true the remedy is plain. Gila county is interested to the extent of many hundred dollars liable to be sad died upon it in similar cases. If it can be wholly disproven and he is not insane the county and territory could be saved a large sum by sending him to his home.
 It is altogether too common an oc- for Gila county to have to bear the burden of these misfit, inn ported peons who bring their dis eased bodies, weak inGellects and criminal tendencies into the territory to replace a higher grade of labor and it is time the imposition should cease.
 It would prove economy in the long run to thoroughly investigate this case, probing the details to the bot tom and if the facts can be main- tained the evil will cease. If it is true that men are being corraled in this manner and brought into the United States in direct violation of the contract labor laws the admins tration at Washington should be ap- prised of conditions without delay. If we cannot complete the dam with out imported labor let it be known and break the law Opently. Not in a secret, reprehensible manner. We could at least secure sound men, and mentally and those whose criminal record is not noto- rious.
 It is time to call a halt!