Arizona republican., 1917-10-29
READER REVIEWS
 LABOR TROUBLES
 TIE ADJUSTMENT
Globe, Alizona. October r.. re17. To the Editor of Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona:

Phoenix, Arizona:
 The presidents commission, under the chairrnanship of Secretary Wilson of the department of labor, has been sitting in Globe for over a. week. All parties who have any interest or facts to contribute have been invited to con- fer with the commission. Both the Miners Union representatives and the mine managers have brought their data. A full hearing is being given. IL is anticipated that the serious needs of the nation, and the evident purpose to reach full knowledge of the labor situation, will result in a just ar engagement that will be acceptable to all l,artieS In fact, while there has Teen great patience and conciliation on the pat of the government should either side in the struggle hold out against an equitable solution we may expect a more firm attitude. If this does not do the work, then conditions will likely De made that will be obli satory upon all parties.
 The time has come for all suhter- fuses to be cast aside. There must be a reckoning with the facts as they are. To review the real causes of the strike may not assist materially in the settlement to be made But few ap- parent considerations will have to be recognized.
 There is little question but that, prior to strike. there was resentment on the part of certain elements among the labor crafts, against the Unite/ States government in making the com pulsory draft for military service. There is also little question but that there was a pronounced pro-German sentiment existing among the working forces of the districts affected. There is likelihood that the allegations up- un which the strike calls were made were more or less a shield to these deep-seated motives of protest against the United States entering the war. It is unfortunate for all concerned that these motives, to Whatever extent they may have contributed to the calling of the strikes, should have been permitted to have any bearing upon the issue. A good many have learned, when too late, the futllity of opposing our identifica- ton with the entente allies in the world struggle for freedom.
 It has been alleged, by many union men and sympathiZers, that this was d capitalistic war; that the government was the tool of Wall street; that a government that did not free it's work ing people\from such domination was not worth fighting for; that those who went to battle were simply cannon fodder" for the ruling classes; that if anyone wanted to fight the bankers and money magnates could go to the front and fight their own battles. Over against these protests, often made openly by the radical element, the strike issues took form There has been demand for representation upon the hospital boards, and the rectifica ton of certain alleged abuses which only the miner can know who bears his back to toll underground, and who often risks his life in behalf of his en- | ployeI's industry. There was no sig nificant demand, as is usually the case, Tor shorter hours and more pay, ex- l cept on the part of the l. w. w. con l tingent
 Whatever justice there may be in these demands will be taken account of by the presidents commission It is conceded, however, that the patriotic 1 American element in the miners unions I dld not want the strike. It is unfortu nate that, in one instance at least, the flag should have been denied recogni ton when these issues leading to tho strike were being considered. It is re. l grettable that the I. w. w. element | should have aroused unsparing oppo. sition to the continuance of work wher the nation needed copper, and the miners needed the money earned b, their toll for their families It is de plorable that this opposition should have reached a point where ven. geance was sought even to the flood Ing of great mine and the devastation of city's prosperity. It is a most un happy coincidence that this strik should come, by whatever plea i might, when the draft law was bein, put into effect and contracts for tn delivery of copper were binding upol the producing companies for the man ufacture of munitions.
 Whatever these considerations ma weigh, for or against either side. on thlng is clearly evident: Playing fo undue advantage by either side agains the other should cease Be it said t the credit of many producing compan lcS or the state, their general provis Ions Tor the care and compensation Q thelr men set standard worthy c emulation by other mining companie of the nation. The miners unions ma take 70 themselves a certain amount c credit for these improved condition.
 No doubt the traditional methods fo adjusting differences have been, gen erally through the employment ( iorce on either or both sides, in orde ~ 10 gain the upper hand. The toiler ha too frequently been considered of onI as much Value as his days work. H
 was accoupted machine at so muc
 per day-With all humanitarian con
 sloerations stripped away. This treat
 ment tended to make him an anima
 Ills necessities drove him to worl
 Ihen he forged the weapon of organ
 zatlon TOT self protection. But whi
 ne multiplied his units in organize
 power, the mine operators have mod
 i-ed their methods Of administration.
 IS easy for either side to use coercio
 ana chose a moment of necessity
 force it's will
 The distinctive outcome of tn
 struggle IS the participation of u
 government as an interested party. 4
 .he government of the people, it
 oouhu to rest its interest upon just ar
 moral bases. Denuded of these elt
 nents, the struggle has often assume
 the aspect of war of savares foca
 lzing the implements and intellect
 clFiilzation in an immoral strugg
 asalnst righteousness, in order, to gaj
 partisan advantage No result how
 ever complete, may seem to be the vi,
 tory or either side at the time. can re
 m permanent peace when a righteo,
 prlhclple is violated. Ultimately. Il
 Just considerations, in strict accorf