The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1914-08-07
GREAT WAR IN EUROPE
AFFECTS ARIZONA INDUSTRY
ALL MINING CAMPS IN ARIZONA REDUCED
To A CURTA|LMENT Of PRODUCTION
AND REDUCTION OF NUMBER
Of EMPLOYEES

duced in this country and to meet
this condition the copper companies
have been forced to curtail their out
put, Clifton included.
NORMAN CARMICHAEL.
Acting upon instructions received
from Mr.. Carmichael by wire reduc-
tions in the force of men employed in
all departments in Clifton were begun
this week and by Saturday night,
August Sth, it was estimated by Off
cials of the company in Clifton that
between one hundred and twenty-five
and one hundred and fifty employees
will have been given their time. This
reduction was made at the new
smelter, the store, repair gangs, and
the crew engaged in wrecking the
old smelter. Not until the arrival
of Mr.. Carmichael, who is expected
in Clifton Saturday evening, will any
reduction be made in the mining
force at Morenci an dMetcalf That
this reduction will reach from 25 to
40 per cent is the prediction.
Phelps Dodge Properties
After attending the Board of Equali-
cation meeting at Phoenix Mr. Thorn
son, general manager of the Detroit
Copper Mining company, proceeded
to Bisbee where he was in consulta-
tion with Mr. Walter Douglas, gen.
eral manager of the y Phelps Dodge
properties in Arizona and Mexico
Mr.. Douglas gave out the statement
that at the Detroit in Morenci and at
the Old Dominion in Globe 25 per
cent reduction in product would occur,
this being the policy for all the Phelps
Dooee properties, including Nacozari
in Sonora. He said that he had
learned that the Miami had reduced
their operation SO per cent. The In
spiration not being a producer yet
might continue its development and
construction work.
The D. C. M. srI@ tier at Morenci
is now running on half shift. The
reduction in the force of miners will
probably occur next week.
The Shannon.
At the general offices of the Shan.
non company on Friday it was stated
that approximately twenty men had
been laid off this week and that the
future curtaikment of forces here and
at the mines at Metcalf would be an
upon the return of Mr.. Ben
ale next week.
Conditions at Bisbee.
Bisbee, Aug. 7.-There will be a
reduction of 10 per cent in the wages
Of all men working on day scale.
The Copper Queen Consolidated |
Mining company will lay off between
100 and 500 men as previously an.
The Calumet and Arizona company
will make reduction of 25 per cent
n its forces.
The Shattack Arizona Copper com.
,any will lay off about $50 men. This
company has not reached a decision
It this time concerning a change in L
wages.
Walter Douglas, managing director
f Phelps Dodge company, said last
lisht:
1.-THE straight reduction of 10 per
ent in wages is due to the extraor-
inary financial condition brought ]
bout by the European war. This con-
ition lays a crushing burden on the
opper market. In so far as the sale |
f metal is concerned, there is no
larket. There is not even any quo
alton on copper. The metal can not I
e given away. Production in all OF
ne copper mines operated by Phelps 1
'odge & company Will be reduced 25 t
er cent. t
Copper statistics for the past few I
lonths disclose that Of all of the t
opper produced In this country, 75 t
er cent was exported to Europe and t
My % per cent was sold for home 7
These facts furnish q I
raphic picture of what the absolute h
osing down Of the European markets
leans. Consequently, the only way b
lat the companies can continue to +
perate at all is by paying operating r
zpenses out of surplus. This policy 4
i'll be undertaken in the hope that
le metal may be sold later at a price '
oove the present cost OF production. L
"Our com pany will do everything In 1
s power to ameliorate conditions and :
i've employment to Just as many men {
) possible. do not think that this {
,untry is face to face with a crisis, I
ut it is the mission of everybody to 8
-actfce economy and look conditions Y
Iuarely in the face. Ii
Although no one at the present +
me can tell what will happen it is
!, be hoped that within a few weeks 9
le situation will have cleared when 1
Is known better what is ahead. At IL
le present time we are taking only r
le ordinary business precautions.
he people can be assured that the
.rong financial condition of Phelps II
odge & company will enable us to a
eet the situation calmly but buoy 1
ltly. There is nothing at present to n