Arizona republican., 1917-09-10
COPPER PRICE
 NEEDN'T WORRY GOVERNMENT I

Representative Carl Hayden whose opposition to fixing the price of cop per at a rate which would adversely affect the wages of miners was men toned in a recent press dispatch, has written a letter to the War Industries Board showing why such action would be disastrous to Arizona. He also shows how by means of the war profits tax the government may protect itself against exactions by the mining com panies.
 MT. Hayden wrote:
 Referring to the hearing which you were kind enough to give me this morning, I desire to present in writ ing a summary of the arguments that l then made relative to the price of copper, which you are soon to deter mine. In carrying out the announced policy of the president that the gov ernment and the public should pay the same price for any commodity, I as sunie that you will attempt to find a way to stabilize the general market price of copper in addition to regu- lating the purchases made for the army and navy and the allies.
 Tn your deliberations on this ques- ton 1 sincerely trust that you will 8 effect of a reduction in the price of copper upon the wages paid to the laborers engaged in this industry. By presenting the Miami wage scale I have demonstrated that the compensa- ton ot the miners and other employees varies directly with the monthly fluc- tuation in the price of copper, and that anw reduction will bear heavily upon them. To reduce the wages of these men without any corresponding reduc- tion in the price that they must pay for the necessaries of life can result in nothing but a decrease in the total production of copper, because they will be compelled either to strike or to seek some better paid employment.
 The cost of living is higher in the copper camps of Arizona than any where else in the United States. This is primarily due to the fact that Ari- Zona does not produce enough agri- cultural products to feed her own peo- pie. Prices of foodstuffs in my state are determined by the deficiency which must be imported. An Arizona farmer is entitled to receive for his wheat the Kansas price plus the freight rate. As in all the intermountain country, the commodity rates from the last are higher than for the long haul to the Pacific coast Many of the cop per mines are located on branch lines so that the additional burden of a local rate must also be borne. With all of these disadvantages a high rate of wages is imperatively necessary if the Arizona workingmen are to be permitted to maintain d decen stand ard of living.
 In view of the situation, it would be the part of wisdom for you gentle men to fix the price of copper at cer- tainly not less than that for which it is selling today. If the copper com panies are making an extraordinary profit, congress will soon enact an excess profits tax which will take a large share of it away from them so that the government can thus com- pensate itself The only other way that the mine laborers can be pro- tected is by abandoning the sliding scale of wages and establish a mini mum wage based upon the present high cost of living in Arizona. If you are able to make such an arrangement with the mine owners, a very critical situation will be avoided and a maxi mum output of copper assured
 Tn any event, comparatively high
 
 to insure an increasing production of the red metal. By following this plan new capital can be secured for the de- velopment of unworked deposits, and bodies of low grade ores that are now available will continue to be mined a, a profit.
 I understand that the Federal Trade Commission has furnished you witt data on the cost of producing copper but 1 beg to remind you that the cos of production is not the only factol to be considered. mine is not lik, an irrigated farm which grows nor, valuable by proper cultivation. pound of copper taken from the eartl cannot be used as seed to return hundred fold at harvest time Capita invested in mining properties is, there fore, entitled to large dividends, fo until all of the costs are first repai no additional wealth has been ac tually created.
 q have presumed to submit thes considerations to you because I rep resent the state that produces nor copper than any other. The minin of this metal is Arizona's basis indus depends almost entirely upon it's un interrupted production. With such vital interest in this question I coul not refrain from seeking to couns with you before the price of coppt is finally determined