The Benson signal. [volume] (Benson, Cochise County, Ariz.) 1915-1921, 1915-10-30

meeting established the fact that the
privilege OF dealing directly with their
ola employees was denied to the min
ing companies; that the Western Fed
GRAFTON had complete sway. The FIJI
t3iity OF seeking further to deal with
the strikers while the district was in
the grip of the Federation influence
was also apparent.
Gov. Hunt arrived In Clifton on
Sept. % in response to messages
from the sheriff Hunt was warmly
welcomed by the Federation leaders.
Subsequent events proved that his
presence in the district was in keep
ing with plan to coerce the mining
companies into granting the demands
of the Western Federation. The mine
managers conferred with Gov. Hunt
on the afternoon Of his arrival. They
submitted proof that the Western
Federation was wholly responsible for
the strike and that reign of fntim-
idation existed. They assured him
that as soon as intimidation ceased
and the companies, managers were en-
abled to meet their employees in a di-
rect and friendly manner, the trouble
could be terminated happily. d
The following day Gov Hunt he'd
conferences with the Western FEEDER
alton leaders and under their patron
age addressed q strikers meeting at
Morenci in the afternoon. Gov. Hunt
was introduced by a Federation agi-
tator. Following his speech, adj
dresses were made bv Gutierrez De
Lara and other paid organizers Of the
Western Federation. Thousands OF
hat bands emblazoned with the text,
"Hurrah for Governor Hunt, were
worn by the strikers. On Thursday
afternoon Gov. Hunt summoned the
mine managers to a conference. He
announced that his Investigations
convinced him that the workmen had
just cause for complaint, and insisted
on the two sides getting together. He
said he was going away but if he re-
turned he would be "IT", and the
mine managers would have no say in
the matter The same afternoon at
s o'clock Gov Hunt addressed mass
meeting Of the strikers, Guy E. Miller
making the Introductory speech. Gov.
Hunt threatened to put mine man
ayers as we'll as strikers lin the bull
pen" Attorney General Wiley E.
Jones followed, concluding brief adj
dress with the announcement that the
strikers cause was "tne cause Of AL
mighty Cod.
Gov. Hunt returned to Phoenix in
the evening. Following his depart
ure, the attitude of the strikers re-
vealed that they had been inspired
with renewed confidence. The West
ern Federation leaders became bold
err The sheriff withdrew permits fol
the company employees to operate the
lighting plant which supplied Clifton
and portions Of Morenci, and strikers
appointed by the Western Federation
took their places. The ice plant was
next taken over by the mob, which
later visited the electric sub-station
at Clifton. A mob of 1000 then
marched from the Federation head
quarters in Chase Creek to the gen
eral offices of the Arizona Copper
company, bearing flags and banners
inscribed with insulting texts. The
cry Of the mob was Down with the
managers. Edward Dawson, master
mechanic of the Arizona & New Mex
'co Railway company, was seized on
the street after being pointed out to
The mob by a deputy sheriff Mr..
DaWson's hat was snatched from his
head, his face was slapped repeated
~, and Federation strikers yelled
Throw him into the river.
The sheriff was an inactive observ-
er OF this assault until he approached
MIR. Dawson and led him at the head
OF the mob to the sheriff's office Sim
liar lndignities were. suffered during
the day by seven company employees,
who at last were rescued by the
sheriff or his deputies and taken to
the sherlff's office for protection"
Hostile demonstrations were also
made in Morenci against officials Of
the Detroit Mining company and the
Arizona Mining company.
The companies managers held a
meeting at which it was decided Meir
presence in the district only served
TO lnclte further the Western Fedora
ton mobs to greater scenes of dis
turbance, violence and destruction Of
property. II was obvious that FEEDER
alton leaders planned to employ
bands Of Mexicans led by Americans
to seize the managers and subject
them TO humiliation and possible in
jury. 1t was also indicated that by
pre-arrangement. the proposed vic