Bisbee daily review., 1917-07-08


 dustrial Workers of the World. The &past tense is used advisedly in this instance for the attempted walk-out has produced nothing but a temporary embarrassment of the workingmen and is rapidly assuming the character of the building up of organizations to their highest point of efficiency. Many features have characterized the Bis bee strike which are para0oxical in the extreme and yet show the animus, the purposes and the intentions of the people who made the strike possible.
 Two weeks ago today Blsbee was quiet. It is still quiet and therein lies one of the many paradox of the local situation. Two weeks ago there was no rumor of a strike in the Warren District. True, any industrial com munity is afflicted with rumors of strikes. There are always those whC are discontented. There are always those who would fan the flames of dis content to the point where a conflag- ration would become imminent Or fact.
 For months it had been reported that the "Wobbly" organization in the Warren District was large. This statement was discounted and one of the principal reasons for regarding it lightly was the established fact that the mines of the District offer no ex- cuse for the agitator to work.
 Sunday, two weeks ago today, the rumors persisted that a strike was impending. No one appeared to know why. No one seemed to know who would order the strike. No one, and especially men who should be in close touch with the industrial conditions from the point of view of the workers, believed such thing was possible.
 On the following Monday more rumors persisted and on Tuesday de- mands were sent to the operators
 The manner in which the demands were. prepared and passed is still 8 plated there must be cause. When they are called there must be a vote Otherwise a strike can have no valid reason and no legitimate hold on the men who may be affected.
 Yet, on Tuesday, June 26, seven de mands were presented the operators of the Warren District No attention was paid either the committee or the demands; the companies taking the position that they would treat with nc organization outside of their own men, Wednesday morning the strike was on. Tickets were requisitioned from the ranks of the I. W. w. and placed on the various roads, trails and approach es to the many mines in the Warren District A lockout of dimensions was effected.
 The people of the Warren District were shocked at the suddenness of the entire affair. They wondered where it originated They wanted to know the authority on which the strike was called. They could not con cilliate the excellent local working conditions, top wages, and a strike called by a few men: without the knowledge or approval of the mass of workingmen in the community.
 Absence of trouble.
 One of the most striking features Of the Bisbee walk-out has been the ab- : sence of trouble. It is entirely un- like former strikes and particularly
  Only one construction can be placed upon the peace which has prevailed: the strike leaders realized that any efforts to stir up trouble would be met with the mailed fist
 Sheriff Harry C. Wheeler. of Co chise county, at the very outset en- nunciated his belief with regard to the situation. He said that the law must be upheld; that the production of cop per, by those who desired to produce it by working in the mines of the Warren District, must not be inter fered with.
 This policy of the sheriff has been firmly adhered to by his force and mas 1 had the uhadulterated support Of the 1 business men and the Workingmen, | employed, of the District It has re- 1 suited in reducing the Bisbee strike . to a state of mind of some men who ! would like to see trouble who would | like to paralize the copper producing . industry of the country but who real ! ize that further efforts al0ng militant lines, would result in trouble and com . plete loss for the instigators.
 The city marshal and his forces have | materially aided the saeriff and. but for the picketing, the streets have been free from any semblance of dis orders.
 The problem now confronting the operators in the district is not one of overcoming strike but of overcom- ] ing the difficulties left in the trail of a strike. These are mainly in buuG- ing up efficiency forces and in restor- l ing workings to efficiency. In both l divisions good progress is being made by Copper Queen and Calumet & Ari- zona. Shattuck has made only small beginning in that direction. The re-