The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-11-12
MILITIA BOYS LEAVE FOR THEIR HOME
Only Two Companies of National Guard Will Remain on Duty in the pistrct--Lack of Funds is Given As One of Reasons For Withdrawal of Part of Military Force.


 The state military force in the dis trict was reduced this week by the departure on Tuesday and Wednes- day of approximately two hundred men. For the present two compan- ies will remain in the district, one stationed at Morenci and one at Cliff ton.
 It is reported that one reason for withdrawal of part of the State mill tia was due to the fact that the militia warrants were not negotiable at the banks and that there was some uncertainty surrounding the time of their ultimate payment.
 The soldier boys were busy during the first part of the week folding their tents and making preparation for their departure. Most of them were elated when the order came for their release from duty. Camp life had grown monotonous and they were anxious to hurry back to their homes.
 r When it became known in Phoenix that Governor Hunt had issued an order for the withdrawal of the troops iE. W. Lewis, Attorney for the Shan non Copper Company, called at the Governors office where a conference lasting an hour, was held between the Chief Executive and the legal representative of the Shannon Copper Company.
 Attorney Lewis, who is the Phoenix Representative for the mine man. agers, admitted that he talked with the governor about some matters in connection with the strike. q called to find out if there is any truth in the rumor that all the militia will be withdrawn from the strike district 2 he said.
 T was advised by the governor that all the militia will be withdrawn inn niediately except two companies, one of which will be stationed at Clifton and one at Morenci,'' added Lewis.
 There are sixty-five men in a com pany. This will mean the sending home of about 200 men, as there are about 320 militiamen in the strike dis iltrict at the present time. Attorney Lewis left Monday night for Fl Paso to meet J. w. Bennie, manager of the Shannon Copper com lpany who has rejoined Manager Nor man Carmichael of the Arizona Cop per company and Manager Milton Nc Lean of the Detroit, after a visit in Chicago.
 Gov Hunt said on Monday that he does not feel it is his place to make public correspondence received from J. H. Myers, special representative of the department of labor, who was sent to the southwest on account of the Clifton strike and who is now in Fl Paso.
 Hywel Davis of Lexington, Ky, for mer president of the Kentucky Coal | Operators association, who has been appointed by Secretary of Labor Will Ison as conciliator in the Clifton strike 1 is daily expected to reach the south west. This is Davis third appoint ment as an arbitrator in labor diff culties in the last sixteen months. He acted in both the Colorado and Ohio coal strikes.
 Gov. Hunt has not decided which two companies of the militia will be retained in the strike zone.
 In making this order it is under stood that the governor has taken in to consideration the fact that per haps 75 per cent of the militiamen are men who are serving the state in this capacity at the expense of l their business interests, and inas- much as there is some doubt as to whether the troopers will be able to collect from the state (for many moons at least) the small wages which are paid them, it was deemed best to release as many from military service as possible. In view of the fact that-the funds of the state which were to be used in paying the men has been tied up by litigation, it may be neces- sary to wait until another legislature convenes and makes an appropriation before the state can discharge this in- debtedness.
 It is also held that as there has | been little or no disorder at Clifton since the strike started, it was a useless expense on the part of the state in keep:ng the district under .hc heavy military guard, and taking au of ttese circumstances into consid- laration, it was decided to call in all but small portion of the guards men.
 Major DonkersIey will remain at Clifton in command of what troops gre left on the scene. The boys are to be given their discharges today or to- morrow.