Arizona republican., 1917-06-20
[)E HANDS IF LABOR
 AREF()()R

(a) Abolition of the contract sys- tenn.
 (b) Seniority rule Seniority to pre- vail in the hiring and discharging of men.
 Co Time and half for all men work .ng overtime in cases of emerg- ency Time and a half for all mechan- ical draftsmen working on Sundays
 (D The Miami wage scale.
 At meeting of the Clifton District Central Labor council on Sunday night the foregoing demands were unanimously approved by all the me cf anical crafts and the three mine, mill and smeitermen locals, these num- bering in membership approximately 4,O00 men. This meeting was the cul- imitation of other meetings held dur ing the previous week by the IA locals in the Clifton Morenci- Metcalf dis t jet, at which meetings these same . emands had been considered and ap- I roved.
 h telegram received yesterday by J L. Donnelly, president of the State ederatiOn of Labor, who is in Phoenix at this time, the information was con- ' wed that the grievance committee of the district had asked for a confer tnce with the managers of the operat- ing companies, but that owing to the absence of J. W. Bennie, general man. sser of the shannon Copper company ihe proposed conference was post poned pending his return in the near future. Acting on instructions from the Clifton District Central Labor council, the grievance committee was 1repared to make a formal presenta- tiOn of the demands as adopted at the meeting Sunday night.
 The grievance committee is pre- pared to deal with the mine managers collectively, although at any time sep arate conferences would be held if the managers would so agree
 in speaking of the situation in the Clifton Morenci- Metcalf district last evening, President Donnelly stated that the men are insistent that the proposed conference be not de- tayed for greater period than one week. If the proposed conference cannot be arranged before the expira- tion of one week Mir Donnelly thought It very likely a strike vote would be taken
 Says Wages Are Low
 The questions involved" said MT Donnelly, such as the abolition of the contract system, and the Miami wage scale, demand immediate action. inas- much as the workers in the district are determined that the contract system of driving tunnels, working in raises steel sharpening, shall cease Many men working on contracts have been unable to make even wages. Others who have made high rate of wages rave found their contract price shaved down.
 Another viewpoint of the vicious ness of the contract system is found m the fact that it develops the indi- FIduality of the worker to the detri- ment of his collective interests. The inauguration of a higher scale of wages has become vitally necessary. Since the settlement of 17 months ago in the Clifton district, the cost of Iiy- dnS mas advanced to such an extent that a dollar will not buy any more than 90 cents would at that time, and q workers wages can only be gauged py thelr purchasing power. The cost ot hVlng in the past six months has advanced 43 per cent
 While the workers feel that there should be no stOppage of the mining Industry at this time, and while not oeslrlng to hamper the federal govern ment Tn any way by curtailing the out put or copper, they also feel that some steps should be taken to maintain a standard of prices as well as a stand ara of working conditions We are Wiling to meet the government half way on this proposition. We are also
 Continued on Page TwO)