Arizona republican., 1917-07-16
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 LEAVING.
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

Republican A. p. Leased Wire1
 FLAT RIVER, Mo-, July 15-The presence of a detachment of Missouri national guardsmen today in the lead belt in the vicinity of Flat river did not prevent the continuing exodus of foreign born miners Who since Friday, have been driven out of this district by American born miners. Tonight it is estimated that ,000 foreigners have left the district. Just where they have gone is not definitely known here, though several carloads of refugees have been started toward s. Louis, while others have gone in a generally northern direction. Some, fearing vio- lence, did not wait for trains, but trudg ed into the surrounding hill country where they made temporary camps or found such shelter as they might. No violence occurred today, nor did the American miners gather in any threat eningly large numbers.
 Unsuccessful efforts were made to bring about a conference between the American born miners and the mine managers in an attempt to conserve labor to the mines. Superintendents of several companies, however, held a conference at Bonne Terre, near here. They declared that some help must be had at once unless the output of the lead mines is to be seriously curtailed. They did not decide to replace the de- parting miners with other foreigners, but concluded to leave the question of foreign employment to the company of ficials in New York. The companies concerned are the St. Joseph Lead com pany, the Des Loge company, the St. Louis Smelling and Refining company.
 
 Today weary mothers carrying babies. with older children trudging along in the dust lined, almost every road out of town. They were going to join then husbands who were driven out yester- day and the day before. but many of them did not know just where to go. Trains were boarded at every town in the district by entire families of refu- gees, each adult carrying bundle wrapped in a sheet, a pack of bedding or an old valise. Many refugees desti- ute of the necessities of like are camp ed in the worods
 No mob thus far has appeared at Lockwood but sixty persons left there today Major William Stepp, in com mand of the troops, is said to fear the withdrawal of the forces would be fol- lowed by Another outbreak against foreigners.
 Judge Peter Hook of Ste. Genevieve. who will arrive In St. trancols county tomorrow, is expected to call a spe- cial grand jury at once to investigate 1 the outbreaks Prosecutor Matthews said the general sentiment in St. Fran 1 cois county was against the outbreak 1 and that the offenders would be prose- cuted
 1 Major Stepp, Captain Jones and | Lieutenant Ruthledge made a tour oi the foreign colonies this morning ! They found that last night about 200 homes of the foreign born miners had | been piliaged and that women and l children were without food. It also was found that American born miners were 1 buying cows and other property from the women at purely nominal prices
 A crowd of IA men was stopped al l one of the federal shafts and searched | for weapons. Three pistols were seized | About 200 men from Elvins, small mining town near here, conferred witt | Major Steep today.
 1 We came to see what your attitude i is toward us" they told the major. 1 What is the trouble about?' asked Major Stepp.
 The men then told their grievances i 1 as follows: i I've want only chance to work ano support our families without being
 thrown out to make room for foreign CTS. Winter is coming and the mining ! companies are discharging Americans
 to make room for foreigners. We wisf to harm no one; we have killed no one we do not think any one has beer hurt: we have destroyed no property but the mining companies are dis | charging Americans and it is agalns that that we protest
 Major Stepp then told the men tha' the troops were here to preserve order to protect life and property and tha
 under the laws all had right to live and work unmolested, and further vio 1 ience would not be tolerated. Ma1o Stepp advised the men to seek further conferences with the mining companies | and believed the difficulty could be ad II justed.
 If A labor committee then went among
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