The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-12-03

That the Duncan (Ariz) refugee camp was established by the officials of the Arizona Copper company, the Detroit Copper company and the Shannon Copper company, solely for the purpose of relieving embarrass- ment and distress among their en- ployes who are deprived of their ordi- nary means of livelihood by the strike in the Clifton-Morenci mining district, is the statement of the general man. agers of the companies named. Pub Lshed charges that the camp had been used for the purpose of harbor- ing Strlkebreakers or persons other than employees and former employees of the companies are likewise emphat- ically denied. In this connection the following correspondence between the mine managers and Adjutant General Charles w. Harris of Ariona is of interest:
 Fl Paso, Tex, Nov. 2S, 1915.
 Hon. Chas. G. Harris, Adjutant Gen. eral of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona.
 Dear sir:-We enclose herewith clipping from the El Paso Herald of the 26th instant regarding an an nouncement which it is stated you made at Phoenix with reference to the Duncan camp. This announcement reads as follows:
 :" Phoenix, Ark, Nov. 26-Adjutant Gen. Charles w. Harris says that an emissary he sent secretly to investi- gate the Duncan refugee camp is convinced that it is concentration camp for strikebreakers.
 When the agent applied for admit tance he was asked if he had been employed in the strike zone. He said that he had not and was advised to think the matter over. If he could remember of having worked there, he was told, he could register.
 The investigator reports that Italians from Kansas City, and Mexi- cans from southern Arizona, who never saw Clifton or Morenci, are be- ing accommodated at the camp.
 Strike to Be Lengthy.
 There is little possibility that the strike will end this winter, ac- cording to Adjt. Gen. Harris, who re- turned from Clifton this week and expects to go once more to the strike zone in a few days.
 The trade organizations of Ari- zona and Fl Paso are supplying the strikers with a fund of $20,000 a month stated Harris This will sup port the miners and their families in comfort if not luxury and they are ACNCA 6O1l1S IO S1NS III u Ill0 COuup ies They have given up all idea if they ever had such an idea-of starting riots or disorders, and have settled down to an all-winter siege.
 Criticizes Companies
 For number of years the cop per companies at Clifton, Morenci and Metcalf have been putting over some raw deals on the miners. The min CTS were compelled to do practically all their trading at the company stores, and to pay the corporations huge profit, in some cases from 100 to 200 per cent, on all purchases. .am glad to see MT. Myers and MT. Davies, the federal investigators now at Clifton, looking into this feature of the situation"
 We shall he obliged by yorr in- forming us whether or not you made this statement.
 "A reply as soon as possible will be appreciated. Yours very truly, ''The Arizona Copper Company, Ltd .,
 By Norman Carmichael,
 General Manager. "The Detroit Copper Mining Company
 By M. H. Mclean,
 General Manager Shannon Copper Company,
 By J. w. Bonnie,
 General Manager. ' Harris Pronounces Report of Inter-
 view Inaccurate.
 To the foregoing Adjdtant General Harris made the following reply: