The copper era and Morenci leader., 1917-08-24
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL

The events Of the past week in connec- ton with the strike prevailing in the Clifton Morenci- -Metcalf district has demonstrated one fact beyond doubt and that is this: The re- sumption of operations in the District, so far the men are concerned, is entirely in the hands of the Morenci Local No. l, Mine, Mill and Smeltermens Union. This Local comprises in membership at least one-half or more of the miners, millmen, and smeltermen of the Dis trict and in addition to it's numerical strength is accepted the parent organization in the district and ths same union in Mefcalf and Clifton look to Morenci Local for advice and guidance Regardless of the influence which surrounded the taking of the ballot on Tues day. to ascertain the sentiment of the men re- garding the proposition of returning to work, the result was decisive and following the ton at Morenci, if a similar ballot had been taken at Metcalf and Clifton it would no doubt have been i'll the same ratlo-a strong majority against returning to work at this time or any time iii the immediate future.
 condition not theory confronts this district Its industrial activity is in the hands of the Morenci Mine, Mill & Smetermen's Is Union absolutely. It's officers and members are well aware of the power which they have at their command and 1t is evident that they propose to use it to the utmost to force the com panies to yield to their demands so long they are able to subsist and continue their con- trol of the situation.
 The result of the ballot at Morenci has not changed public opinion. It remains the same now, as in the beginning, that the strike was hastily called and i'll advised, and that Ii more temperate methods had been Invoked an increase in wages, based on the increased cost of living would have been secured without the drastic resort to a strike.
 There is no denying the fact that ma iority of the American craftsmen ln the dls- trict were opposed, and what few are left, are still opposed to the present strike. It has, Tn their opinion, worked an unnecessary hardship upon them They have left their homes to seek employment elsewhere, and so long as the present conditions prevail in the district, 1t IS extremely doubtful if they ever return.
 Upon a recent visit of Jos. 5. Myers to the district, in speaking of the strike, he remark eC that, so far he unable to discover the father of the child Apparently no individual, or committee, cared to assume the responslbl1- ty of the strike. But at Morencl on Tuesday the power behind the strike manifested ln m uncertain terms An organization, com posed almost exclusively of aliens, claiming their exemptions from the war draft on thls ground accepted the full responsibility for the strike and announced they would stay out ferever. or until their demands were compiled with. American citizens may fight the wars of the country; alien citizens remain at home and clog the wheels of industry necessary to the successful prosecution of that war, selz- ing upon trivial pretexts to call strike and forcing upon the community unnecessary hardships and lrivations at d time when It can least afford to bear them. This IS the cond1- ton that prevails in this district today.