Weekly journal-miner., 1915-12-15
CASH CALLED BY
 CORPORATION COMMISSION

governor and adjutant general, the corporation commission is not inclin. ed to let all the actions of James c. Cash, in connection with the Clifton Morenci strike, go unquestioned The commission mas called Cash severely to account for taking over and oper- ating the Arizona Copper Company's light plant, which serves Clifton, ALorenci and Metcalf, without notify ing that body, in accordance with the constitution and statutes.
 Cash ignored the commission until the Arizona Copper Company declin, ed to pay the men the sheriff had em- ployed to operate the plant. This is brought sharply to his attention in letter requesting from him complete report on his nigh-handed action in taking over and conducting a public utility.
 It appears from the commissions letter to Cash that the sheriff frac- tured the law in innumerable places. The communication follows:
 "We were greatly surprised at the contents of your telegram of Novem- her 22nd, to the effect that you as an officer of the county had been oper- ating public utility plant for nearly two months without having advised this commission of same or the facts and circumstances leading up to your i having taken possession of the plant.
 AS we read the public utility laws of the State, this commission alone is authorized by law to permit changes in the operation, management or con trol of public utility companies. It seems to us that you are assuming q great deal of responsibility for your self personally, and your bondsmen, in taking over private property and operating it, and especially when such property is a public utility, the gener- al supervision and regulation of which is vested with this commission. The State owes to public utility plants not only full protection in the operation and management of it's plant but owes as the law clearly designs, the obli- gation of seeing that the plant earns reasonable rates upon the investment and such protection as may be neces- sary in preserving the property to its full value and working condition.
 "In the light of our interchange of advice and telegrams with you and the companies in your district, where in we advised you and the companies severally and jointly that this com mission would require public service corporations to render adequate and continuous service, we are at loss to understand your position in assum ing control and the operation of this plant without even advising us that service had been discontinued or that discontinuance of service was i'm minent
 We have a report from the com pany in the premises and in order that we may be in full possession of the facts, we ask that you advise us, at your earliest convenience, all of the facts, circumstances and conditions concerning the matter.
 Your telegram of November 22nd, reads as follows:
 "'October 1st Arizona Copper Co. quit operating electric light plant took their employees off refused absolutely to have anything more to do with same. was compelled to put on men and ran plant since which time plant has been operated by men under my orders furnishing lights to towns of Clifton, Morenci and Metcalf. Com pany has furnished oil and supplies, men have been working for month and more without wages wires sent to N. Carmichael, Fl Paso, elicited no reply. Men demand their wages is there anything you may do to assist me in securing pay for men so em- ployed company has and is now col lccting light bills from consumers for period since October 1st. Please wire answer this question is quite vital and must have results.
 CASH, Sheriff.
 "We note that you appealed to this commission only when the Arizona Copper Company apparently had re- fused to pay the men operating the plant If the men operating the plant were not selected or employed by the Arizona Copper Company, 1t appears to us that they were wholly within their rights, morally and legally, in refusing payment of salaries or wages for men selected by yourself
 "Your telegram is at variance with the statements of the company in that you did on the evening of September 30th, through your deputy, McCulloch, go to the power plant at the smelter
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