Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-07-02
Managers Assert That 1t Is
Part of Statewide Conspir-
acy to Reduce Copper Sup
ply in Crisis,
SOUTHWEST'S OUTPUT
CUT 8 MILLION POUNDS
Governor and Federal Authofi-
ties Are in Close Touch With
Situationi Federation Head
J Issues Statement.

inv nossiSe 10 JRh. l. srsG A. LaAsao wiRat
Clifton, Ariz, July 1.-Fires were
drawn from the smelters here today
after the strike order had been
signed by the representatives of the
miners and 5000 men will be out of
work, according to estimates given
was signed at 10 o'clock today, and
by noon the concentrators, mines and
smelters were idle. The closing down
of the Clifton copper camp will mean
the reduction of the total output of
copper in the southwest by 100000
pounds per month.
The mine managers here claimed
tonight the strike in the Clifton-Mo
renci district is part of a statewide
conspiracy to tie up the copper mines
at this critical period.
The strike order followed demands
presented to the shannon, the Detroit
and the Arizona Copper companies,
looking to the abolition of the con-
tract system in mining and granting
the Miami wage scale. The mine
managers made reply last night, after
ployes had declined to await the ar
rival from El Paso Of Joseph F. N.Y.
ers, of the federal department of la
bor, who had wired request that
action be deferred until he could
reach Clifton.
Say They Offered Raise.
The shannon and Arizona COM
pany, officials claim, offered to in
crease the wages Of the lower paid
class of labor SO cents per day. and
the better paid class 25 cents a day,
but say they rejected the demand for
the Miami scale. The Detroit Copper
company was said to have refused all
all demands.
The strike order was then issued,
signed by John Donnelly, president of
the State Federation of Labor. At
daylight the order was posted at all
properties of the three companies
and everything will be at standstill
by tomorrow morning.
Sheriff Slaughter issued a statement
tonight declaring he would maintain
tain law and order even though 1t was
necessary to deputize every citizen in
the county.
The Mine, Mill and Smeltermen's
union is by far the largest organiza-
ton in the district. 1T includes Mex
leans, Spaniards and Italians.
Governor Campbell and the fed
eral authorities are in close touch
with the situation
Donnelly Issues Statement.
President Donneliy this afternoon
issued this statement:
THE Clifton, Morenci and Metcalf
miners and smeltermen demanded
the Miami wage scale, the abolition
of the contract system in mining, the
seniority rule and time and one-half
for overtime and Sunday work by the
mechanical crafts. Upon presenta-
ton of the demands to the companies.
the Detroit Copper company refused
all demands The Shannon and Ari-
zona Copper companies answered
with an offer of SO cents day for
men receiving up to as 1-2 cents per
hour; for all over this amount, 25
cents per day. The grievance com
mittee did not agree to accept this
concession, as it had no power to do
so. They reported their negotiations
to the central body Of the district,
which unanimously rejected it. 1t
was then requested to endorse the ac-
ton Of the body, and, in accordance
with the constitutional procedure is
sued the strike call.
1--WE are out win and not a cent
short of the Miami scale will do. Our
organization will never return to
work as long as one strikebreaker is
employed or a gunman is on duty.
Earnings Tremendous.
1.-The earnings Of the companies arc
tremendous and they are fully ade-
quate to permit Of living wage scale.
I'VE ara very desirous of resuming
work and Of doing our bit toward
maintaining industrial peace, to the
end that our country will not be en-
harrassed for necessary materials
during the war. but We know the
copper companies are using the war
as n subterfuge.
1--WE will do all in our power to
maintain peace and observe law and
order. reserving the right to avail
ourselves Of constitutional rights in
self-protection.''
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