Arizona republican., 1917-03-17
STRIKE MENACE
NOT ALARMING
T0PHOEN|C|ANS

Insofar as passenger traffic is con-
cerned. Phoenix and Arizona in general,
will not be seriously handicapped in
the event that the nation wlae - q.
strike is called by the four great rail-
road brotherhoods at o'clock TINS
evening, according to statements Is
sued yesterday afternoon by local Of
ficials of the Santa te, Arizona East
ern and Southern Pacific. That such
a strike would seriously affect freight
movements was quite generally admit
ted, however, and it is in this that the
state is most earnestly concerned.
Direct results of such a nationwide
strike would not be felt in this com
munlty TOR many days, 1t Is thought.
According to information secured yes
terday afternoon, there are sufficient
foodstuffs in storage here to supply
any possible demand for period OF
from 10 days TO two weeks, Wnlle
canned foodstuffs is stored in large
quantities throughout the state.
1t is not believed in railroad circles
that such an effective strike as planned
by the four brotherhoods could DE of
long duration-longer than three or
four DAYS. it is stated. Federal control
Of all roads would probably result if
the strike was of much longer duration
is the opinion.
Local producers are of the opinion
that sufficient foodstuffs are grown in
the salt River Valley to more than
supply the demand for this community.
ThiS>announcement practically assures
the community against serious food
shortage, which would undoubtedly be
| The most serious result of such a strike
| That practically every mine and
other industry in the state that de
penGs on freight shipments to operate.
would be forced to post the closed
down" sign within period of from j,
DAYS to three weeks is the general be-
lief of mining men in this city.
While it is admitted that the Arizona
| Eastern, which operates practically ali
lines to the various mines, would not
be affected by the strike order mas
much as it never has recognized any
labor organization. the mines would be
handicapped because of the inability to
import operating materials from east
eTn fields. This would throw thou
sands of men out of employment and
would create a most serious condition.
/ In the event that the various rail
roads could maintain their passenger
traffic, Phoenix and Arizona would
also be protected to a limited extent
from any critically serious food short
age because foodstuffs could be ex
pressed into this territory in small
quantities. Also, the parcel post could
and probably would be extensively
used in dispatching non-perishable
foodstuffs from the eastern markets tc
points throughout the southwest.
1t is the opinion of local Arizona
Eastern officials that~no effects what
ever would be felt on that road as &
result of such a strike. This insures
the regular passenger and freigh
schedule throughout this territory.
Our passenger traffic would b'
maintained as usual regardless of th'
strike said F. A Cruice, assistan
general freight and passenger agen
! of the local Santa Fe office, yesterday
Officials of the company have no
} been sleeping since the threatened
strike of a few months ago and have
t no doubt, completed arrangements 70
E the operation of many trains other tina
| passenger.
1T is my personal opinion that tn
e four brotherhoods have taken alvan
e tage of an unfair opportunity to cal
4 the long threatened strike. Not il
/ , many years, have railroad conditions
' the country been so serious as at tn
r present time
I Southern Pacific officials believ
0 that passenger traffic, at least, coal
e be maintained. Also that within a 1eN
days, til. road would find some way
which to operate fast freights to tran:
port foodstuffs and other more essen
tial articles.
= Superintendent c. NJ. Scott of tn
e Arizona Ed stern stated lasf night tina
i he did not expect a single trainma
{ of his road to go on strike.
z Our men have no grievances
t stated MI Scott I'VE have not mao
g preparations 20 fill their places {
e there will be no strike. We tres
d them right and I am sure they al
S satisfied AS for what the men Q
V other roads running into Phoeni
v'ill 20 I have no knowledge"