The copper era., 1909-06-03
AN EXPLANATION.
Of the Diphtheria Situation at MetcaIf
 by a Local Party.
MErcALF. Ariz.. June 1st. 19O

METCALF. Ariz.. June 1st 1909.
 Editor Copper Era:-Noting the comments recently and as made by Solomonville paper regarding the diphtheria here in our camp, and cen surfing the manner in which the quar- antine was established as ineffective and useless, I would ask permission to say a word that the situation might be better understood.
 The man from the Gila states, 'the board of supervisors investi- gated the matter of quarantine guards thoroughly and discovered that many of them who were draw ing 8 per day were not attending to their duties, but were working or spending their time elsewhere.
 We gladly excuse the valley editor, as unusual dreams are of frequent occurrence in that special locality. As for Clifton I can not speak. But as most of the diphtheria cases were here in Metcalf and I at one time had a force of twenty-one guards on, and having personally put them to work, and kept their time account, 1 think I am in position to know the situation as it existed. I employed all the guards, stationed them and made my rounds to visit them while on duty, both during the day and night at different hours, I am in a position to deny most emphatically of a. where. A few were discharged for not being competent, but they at tended strictly to their duties as a usual thing, and we had good men, who were able to realize the necessity of strict attention to their work. The fact that the work was we'll looked after and the good results of the quarantine with the promptness of the doctors saved us from what might have been a far worse state of affairs.
 That the board of supervisors in- vestigated thoroug hly the matter of the quarantine guards here is untrue. We tried without success to have them come up here and personally look the situation over, but not one of them did we see here. Conditions were reaching a very serious state and the matter had to be taken in hand locally by the local officers. The valley thinks 8 per day a very nigh price, and says our labor works in the mines for S1.50 per day. We a6 rnit that 1acc ha B at the mines, but in this latter work it is only eight and nine hours work and a great many of them would be useless as quarantine guards being class of men, as we all know, who do not realize the seriousness of a disease of this kind or see the necessity of quarantining against it. The class of men we needed here when such strict attention to duty and proper realization of the nature of the work was exacted, employed for Sl.50 per day, where living is as high as here. We ask all sensible people to stop and ask them selves, what kind of a man could be hired to work for Sl 50 per day for twelve hours? Could you find men that could be trusted for work o this kind? If quarantine is needed at all why half do it? Quarantine sho uld be strict and very effective or none at all. There is much differ. enCe between eight and twelve hours labor, and we believe in a case of this kind in employing the best men that can be had.
 Personally the board of supervisors has treated me fairly and well, but in cutting these guard fees down to Sl.5O they have crippled the county health department. Should we be visited again by a contagious disease where the whole community was en- dangered, it will be hard to meet the requirements as things now stand. | At such times some must take the esponsibility and act, especially when we are as far away from the | center of operations as we are from SOlomonville. And if 2 county health | officer or doctor is to be deprived of | all authority, why pay one at all? i Another thing some will be glad to | know, especially those recently in- | terested, for three months I con- | tributed work and time to the quar- antine and assisted in the burial of | several deaths from diphtheria, did | not put in one cent to the county for services rendered.
 Great credit should be given the | AilZOud COPPSI Cou pduV IoI dCIlHS so promptly and we'll in putting the guard of last winter on their pay roll and for the time being at least is paying them regardless of the county. This was done for the bene- fit of the camp, when it was seen that prompt steps must be taken to prevent the camp being crippled by the diphtheria. Only those acquaint- ed with the conditions here and what the company really did do can real ize to what extent their assistance was given. Respectfully,
 c. H. FARNSWORTH.