Graham guardian., 1915-10-22
INVESTIGATION NEEDED

of the conditions that prevailed in
the mining camps of Clifton, Met
calf and Morenci before the strike
as well as the conditions that now
obtain in that mining district.
To the ordinary mind, it would
appear that the large output of cop
per of the different mining com
panies in that district was a source
of great profit to the operating
companies. and that they could pay
better wages than is alleged by the
strikers as the maximum wage for
underground workers in that dis
trict, which we understand to have
been 81 90 per day.
Probably in no other place in the
State of Arizona, could miners b"
secured TO work underground for
less than $3.50 per day, and it does
look as if these mining companies
have been enjoying good thing
through the low wages paid, while
the other mining companies in the
State have been paying not less than
$3.50, and a good percentage more
as the price Of copper went up.
A Federal investigation would
bring to light everything in the con
dition of the lives of the miners,
who are now out on strike and ask
ing for a minimum wage Of So 80
per day, such as is paid in other
camps. The investigation would
also disclose any abuses, such as are
alleged to exist.by the strikers, and
in the end bring about better work
ing conditions for everybody.
1t has been stated by the managers
of the, mining companies that the
cheapest class of labor has been
employed on account Of the character
of the ore, its formation and the
higher cost of extraction and treat.
ing it. 1t has also been said tha!
the mining companies employed
Mexican miners and paid them small
wages, about half the prevailing
scale for miners N this State, be-
cause they were not worth more for
the reason that they were only
capable of doing half as much work
as a good miner, most ridiculous
reason.
An investigation by the Federal
government would most likely dis
close the fact that at least one of
the operating companies in the
Clifton Morenci district is about so
years behind in the method of treat
ing low grade ores, and if this par
ticular company used up-to-date
methods, such as prevail at Miami,
for instance, where two per cent
ore is successfully mined and treat
ed, they could easily afford to en-
ploy the best miners and pay the
same scale of wages that prevail at
Glole. Miami, Bisbee and other
mining districts.
The mining companies in the Cliff.
ton Morenci mining district suffered
no more on account of the low price
of copper at the beginning of the
European war and not as much,
perhaps, as other mining companies
in the State, yet they lowered the
very low wage scale of their miners
at the time and even now are only
paying about the same rate for
wages for all classes of employment
at their mines as was paid before
the European war started, and COP
per is now selling at Is cents per
pound and has been more than l3
cents per pound for months.
The facts are that the companies
want to keep cheap camp as far
as their labor is concerned with all
its attendant abuses that practically
keeps class of people in a state of
peonage.
What is needed to get at the
truth in regard to the conditions
that have prevailed for years in the
Clifton. MOrenci district and which |
has led to the organization Of the
miners and other employees as the
only means Of lettering their con.
iition, is a thorough investigation
by the Federal government and this
should be done as soon as possible.
IR Nu.a.no- HINT mould inaisf nn |