The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-02-12
MILLS DECLINES
APPOINTMENT,
BUT BOOSTS
Is Only Democrat to Decline Office
When 1t Was rendered Him-How-
ever, He Takes Occasion to Give
Boost to the State Fair.

i c.. E. Mills, general manager of
the Inspiration Copper company,
named last week by Governor Hunt
to succeed j. ]. Keegan, as a mem
berA of the state fair commission, has
declined the appointment, saying
that he could not possibly take the
time from his present engagement to
look after the success of the Arizona
fair. This will be generally regret
ted by all who know Mr.. Mills, as
his large business capacity would
have been of great value to theNfair.
G. E. Mills is a pioneer of this state
coming to the territory at the time
the railroad was being constructed
from Fairbanks to Bisbee. He ran q
transit for the chief engineer, Mr.
Wambaugh, for $6 per month and his
board; later he went into tho general
office OF the Copper Queen at Bis
bee; still later he went to Yavapai
county, where he was superintendent
of the Commercial Mining company,
a Phelps-Dodge enterprise. In 1898
he became general manager OF the
Detroit Copper company, holding this
position until he accepted the posi-
ton of general manager of the In
spiration Copper company three years
ago. When volunteers were called for
| in the Spanish-American war Mills
quit his job at Morenci and enlisted
as private in the Rough Rider regf-
ment and served through all the cam
paigning in Cuba. He has thoroughly
demonstrated what energy and frugal
lity can accomplish in the west, as
today he ranks among the foremost
industrial captains of the southwest
the declination of Mr.. Mills to ac-
cept the fair commissionership:
&c. e. Mills, general manager OF
the Inspiration Consolidated Copper
company, broke all speed records,
both track and road, Friday afternoon
when he won undying fame as
democrat who eluded a political job.
Mr.. Mills was chosen by Governor
Hunt as a member of the state fair
commission to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of j. J. Keegan-
But fast footwork and clever de-
tense saved the day. Here's Mr.
Mills own confession:
81 told the governor yesterday when
he was going to appoint men on the
state fair board. 7 appreciate the
honor but for want of time must alb
solutely decline and that will have to
90. ! think the governor is trying
to put one over on me. He is trying
to tag me but am sure I can outrun
him. Besides 1 am running for the
unique distinction of being the only
Arizona democrat that ever made
tracks the other way from proffer-
ed public office.
But, seriously, am strongly in
favor of the state fair. I like to at
tend it,having lived for many years
In the old territory and in many parts
of it. There is great pleasure in see
ing old acquaintances who come from
every part of it to the fair. Such an
annual getting together of the people
from all parts of the state as occurs
at fair times is the finest thing con-
nected with it, quite peculiar and
valuable quality that does not attach
to the usual gathering of this sort.
'Tt is impossible to put a money
value on the benefits of this annual
comingling of the people from the
four quarters of the state but in my
judgment it is worth all it COSTS"