The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1915-01-15
AR|z. FARMERS ARE
TAKINGINTEREST|N
MINING INDUSTRY


New Members Joining Arizona Chap
ter American Mining Congress As
sure Officials That They Can Count
on the Farmers To Cooperate With
Mining Men.
' PHOENIX, Jan 14-A quiet spoken,
unassuming young farmer-but the
owner of several hundred acres of
Salt River valley land for all his
modesty and quietness walked into
the office of the Arizona Chapter of
the American Mining Congress, at
Phoenix, the other day. He filed out
an application for membership and
passed a five dollar bill across the
desk.
Il wish that you could let me in
for two or three memberships, he
said 'tAnd while am about it
1 want to tell you mining men that
you have us farmers sized up wrong.
You have charged that we never reali-
zed the Importance of the mining in
dustry to Arizona. You have even
charged US with being hostile toward
the industry, particularly toward the
big companies But until you organ
lied this chapter you never did a
thing to let US know how important
: the industry was. We. were busy
with our alfalfa, our steers, our cot
ton and our sugar cane, and no time
to find out for ourselves how much
: money your copper, gold and silver
were bringing into the state. If l
had always known what l know now
about the relative importance of min
ing my attitude on a great may ques-
tions, would have been decidedly diff.
ferent.
From this time forward you can
count on the farmers to cooperate
with the mining men. You will find
them ready to meet you half way on
public questions, such as taxation.
All my neighbors are going to join
this chapter and we are going to
watch it's work pretty closely, for we
now realize that the development of
mines means the development of
markets for our products"
This is only one instance. The
young farmer mentioned expressed
himself a little more freely and clear
ly than most, but the sentiments OF
scores who have become members of
the Arizona chapter in the last few
weeks are practically the same. In
fact one of the most surprising fea-
lures in connection with the forma-
, tion of the chapter has been the eager
ness with which persons not directly
connected with mining have applied
ton was perfected it was with the
idea of securing at least 1000 mem
7bers. Present prospects are that
that mark will be passed before long.
Signs of a tremendous change =
rather an awakening-of public senti-
ment are seen on every hand in the
Arizona capital. The success of the
chapter is now assured. Already 1t
is exerting powerful influence.
1t was Immediately after the an
nual convention of the American Min
ing Congress, held in Phoenix, Dec.
I'll, that the Arizona chapter was
formed. W. B. Twitchell, of Phoe-
nix, was elected Governor. In his
first address he stated that the i'm
portance of the, convention had not
been realized by the people of Phoe-
nix and vicinity. But he blamed the
mining men of Arizona for not bring
ing them to realization that a great
national convention, certain to exert
strong influences on congress and the
etire country, was in progress. He
predicted that the Arizona chapter
would gain for mining recognition as
the leading industry of the state, the
industry that is bringing in more out
side money than all others combined.
That prediction is now coming true. I
" "A square deal for the investor
epitomizes the underlying purpose of
the chapter as well as anything else"
remarked Acting Secretary E. L.
Wolcot. Everybody agrees that
Arizona needs outside capital. Capi-
tai is timid and will not venture into
Arizona unless it is convinced that it
VIII be welcomed and protected, not
hampered or restricted by unfriendly
litigation. 1 cannot help thinking that
had this chapter been an active organ
ization during the recent campaign,
some of the laws that were passed
and are now causing all kinds of con-
cern would have been defeated. Ari-
zona mining men have begun little
late to cooperate among themselves,
and to get into touch with the other
people of the state, but not too late.
What has already been accomplished
is only an earnest of what is going
to be accomplished in the future by
unceasing, well-directed |
efforts. -
Permanent quarters have been Sc
cured for the chapter at 1T North |
Second avenue. Mr. Wolcott, whose |
regular position is assistant secretary
Of the American Mining Congress, is
still in charge but within a few days |
the permanent secretary will be Sc
ected and installed. The various
particularly the legiEla-
tive committee, are active and the,
chapter is certain to be heard from
Turing the coming session of the
legislature.