Bisbee daily review., 1915-12-09
STRIKE SHERIFF IS CALLED TO ACCOUNT
 FOR ILLEGAL ACTS
Corporation Commission Charges Cash With High-handed Meth
 odS in Taking Over Adminis-
 tratiOn of Clifton Light Plant.

PHOENIX, Dec. S-Unlike the gov ernor and adjutant general, the cor poration commission is not inclined to let all the actions Of James C.. Cash, in connection with the Clifton Morenci strike, go unquestioned. The commission has called Cash severly to account for taking over and oper- ating the Arizona Copper company's light plant which serves Clifton. Moronci and Metcalf. without notify. ing that body, in accordance with the constitution and statutes
 Cash ignored the commission until the Arizona Copper company declined to pay the men the sheriff had em. ployed to operate the plant This is brought sharply to his attention in a letter requesting from him a complete report on his high-handed action in taking over and conducting public utility
 It appears from the commissions letter to Cash that the sheriff frac- tures the law in innumerable cases. The communication follows:
 We were greatly surprised at the contents of your telegram of Novem- Der 22nd, to the effect that you. as ali officer of the county. had been operat- ing a public utility plant for nearly two months without having advised this commission of same or facts and circumstances leading up tosyour hay ing taken possession of the plaIt.
 As we read the public utility laws of the state. this commission alone is authorized by law to permit chang es in the operation, management or control of public utility companies. lt seems to us that you are assuming a 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 public utility, the general supervision and regulation of which is bested with this commission. The state owes to public utility plants not only full protection in the operation and management of its plant but owes, as the law clearly designs, the obligation of seeing that the plant earns reasonable rates upon the in vestment and such protection as may be necessary in preserving the prop orty to it's 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 rended adequate ana continuous service, we are at a loss 10 understand your position in assum- ing control and the operation of this plant without even advising us that service had been discontinued or that a discontinuaRce of service was im- minent
 We have a report from the compa- ny 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 first Ari- zona Copper Co., quit operating cleo tric light plant took their employees off refused absolutely to have any thing more to do with sale. was compelled to put on men and run plant since which time plant has been operated by men under my orders furnishing lights to town of Clifton, Morenci Metcalf Company has fur nished oil and supplies; men have been working for month and more without wages Wires sent to N Carmichael, El Paso, elicited no re ply. 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 collecting light bills from consumers for period since October first Please