Arizona republican., 1917-07-15
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[Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

Republican A. p. Leased Wire1
 BISBEE Ariz., July 14.-Ths 1oI- lowing public statement regarding the deportation of 1900 odd men from the Warren district Thursday was issued today by the Citizens Protective league and the Workmens Loyalty league, representing several thousand miners and property holders in the district:
 "The undersigned, representing the Citizens Protective league and the Loyalty league, composed of citi- zens and workmen of Bisbee make this statement, to set forth the true facts and reasons for the deportation of 1,200 l. w. W's. from Bisbee Oil July 12.
 "The strike was called by a few out side L w. w. agitators, the most inn portant demands were for aminimum wage of S6 a day. and the abolish mentment of physical examination re- quired to get employment Bisbee is the highest paid mining camp in the country, and in no camp are working conditions better or greater safe guards used for protection of work men. Wages are based upon the price of copper. and the next pay check will be s5.75 per day. for miners, for an eight hour day. The physical examination of applicants for jobs has been required largely to protect workmen from diseases.
 ''The strike has been marked by violence, acts of intimidation, and reasonable statements on the part of the I. w. WIS. Streets have been clogged with pickets. who made threats of violence, and disregarded the rights of pedestrians including women and children. Homes of loyal workmen have been visited and their families terrorized by threats. Even the mayor has been threatened, and his official orderss disregarded. Destruction of life and property has been threatened. The only thing that has prevented destruction oI property and more injuries to per- sons. has been the vigilance of Sheriff Wheeler.
 T. w. W's were coming into Bis bee on every train, to swell the ranks of these already here. Their pur. pose was to stir up strife and dissen- sion. and to tie up the mines, and paralyze local industries of all kinds. Seventy five per cent of the L W. W. pickets were strangers in the com nunity. Repeated requests were made by the mayor. city council, sheriff and other officers, that the right of peaceable citizens and work men be respected. When such re- quests were ignored, and threats and acts of intimidation continued, ir then became necessary for the citi- zens and loyel workmen of Bisbee to assist the sheriff in putting stop to such reasonable action.
 Therefore, on the morning of July 18th. approximately 2000 reputable citizens and residents of Bisbee, un- der direction of Sheriff Wheeler, met at appointed places and proceeded to gather up and disarm the l. w. W. pickets and leaders. No violence was shown. Before loading them in cars for deportation, they were offered an opportunity to remain in camp, provided they could ob- tain someone to vouch for them and upon condition that they cease their reasonable utterances and acts against the government and the con- : munity. Under those conditions many remained. Probably ninety per cent of those deported were strang CTS. with no place of residence in tn, community. This is shown conclu- sively by the fact that nearly 40u IT, w. WIS. were arrested in the union hall, sleeping on the floor. , Many deported were Austrians and alien enemies. The citizens acted as deputies, and as part of the sheriff S posse under his orders and direction Sufficient food and water was placed in the cars, to accommodate the needs Continued on page siX)