The copper era and Morenci leader., 1914-09-25
A STRONG NEGATIVE ARGUMENT.

M M Fickas well known citizen of Phoe- nix, has submitted an argument against the so- called "eighty per cent law which presents clear and concise statement why the people of Arizona should not join hands with the State ederatlon o1 abor in the enactment of this unjust measure In tI course of his argument Mr. Fickas says:
 s.The man and woman now within our gates either native born or of alien birth has the right to make living, just as those who come to us in the future have the same right given them by the constitution.
 "Is Arizona which boasts of being the most progressive state in the Union, to deny this right
 Let us quote from the official argument ot the Arizona State Federation of Labor m favor of the so-called Anti Blacklist Law
 Any company, corporation or individual that deliberately sets out to prevent man from earn ing living for himself or his family is to our mnd committing a crime as bad if not worse than murder
 "'This from the organization which framed the measure under discussion.
 "If 1t is 'as bad if not worse than murder tor a company or corporation to prevent man earn ing living for hmslef and family, would 1t not be many times worse for state to do the same thing?
 seYet the sponsors of the proposed law would have the state do just what 1t bitterly condemns in an individual or corporation.
 Could there be more vitally tremendous argument against the passage of this measure?
 "A generation or more ago such law would have prevented from making living, the fathers of thousands of our best citizens of today.
 "Every conception of Americanisrn is fouted in the mere proposal of such law.
 'sEven Socialism would not stand for such law which violates its basic principles.
 "If adopted, it would be to the lasting shame of Arizona, which would be advertised to the world as the state which prohibits white man from making living.
 "Arguing in support of this measure its sponsors say that it would protect the ignorant fiom exploitation and peonage. This argument is advanced in the effort to prove that the law would not violate treaty rights of favorded na- tioDs.
 "It is extremely doubtful if the federal gov ernrnent would take this attitude. It IS just as doubtful if foreign nation would look at such discrimination against its citizens as calculated to be to their interest. And peonage is unknown in Arizona
 "Framers of the measure in their argument for it's passage avow desire for a Superior class of citizens for Arizona The desire is worthy one but no superior class of citizenship will ever be created at the sacrifice of fairness and justice, and the denial of the right to any man or woman to make living.
 Official supporters of the measure also point to the fact that it would result in just treatment for Arizona citizens by employers of labor
 'Is it intended to supplant the section hands and the routabouts mines and smelters witt Arizona citizens?
 If so, where are the Arizona citizens who vii take these jobs?
 "Just treatment must be accorded the people now within our gates, whether they be from Cana da, Great Britain, Germany, France or Mexico.
 NO state could bear the stigma-the reproacl of an entire nation, which would be the result O driving out thousands of workers for the sole req son that they are not yet citizens and for prevent ing other non-citizens who will be attracted t' Arizona in the future from obtaining employment
 Arizona at this crucial stage of her career cannot stand this kind of advertising.
 The administrations war risk bill, meas ure vitally important 10 quick and profitable trans