The copper era and Morenci leader., 1918-07-12
26 GENT COPPER
 WAGES 5OC
LOCAL EMPLoYEs OF A. c, AND p. b. COMPANIES TO GET RAISE EFFECTIVE APRIL i.

As was anticipated, when the price of copper was given a boost of 2 1-2 cents per pund, an increase of wages is annunced by the cooper companies. Another forecast of this increased wage was the :. interview given out at Fl Paso recently by General Manager Carmichael, before the government had granted the higher price for copper. Then MT. Carmichael stated that he anticipat ed a wage increase by August, at the furthermost. Right on the heels of this interview the price was rais. ed for the red metal.
 This increased wage is not only the result of the increased price of copper, but it may be that the higher metal price owes smething to the necessity of higher wages.
 It has been the mission of Feder- al Mediator Davies to study the sit- uation in Arizona, both as to the ad- visibility of increasing the fixed copper prices, as well as to report in the wage condition.
 Recently MT. Davies has spent much time in Montana and Jerome, where he has adjusted matters pend ing between the miners and opera tors.He sends the following message to Clifton, which is self-explanatory. which was sent to the operators in this district:
 Advance Effective April 1.
 AS fourth of July greeting I am directed by MT. Felix Frankfurter. U. S. Labor Administrator, to pro- mitigate the following changes in the Clifton-Morenci-Metc wage scales:
 'Effective from April first this year the wages of all employees of the Arizona and Detroit Copper companies shall be advanced fifty (50) cents per day in all cases where such wage rates are moro than fifty cents per day less than the Miami scale. In every other case like that of the craftsmen. the scale is to be advanced to the Miami rates from said April 1st.
 This advance is based on twenty three and one-half cent copper. The additional advance due to the in- creased selling price of copper to twenty-six cents is to be arranged as soon as I came to Clifton this month. In the case of the Shannon Copper Company they shall pay the same advances from July first as other companies but back pay from April first to be deferred until mat ter can be arranged between Wash ington and company.
 Tt is not deemed advisable to further delay payment of advance to the others hence this award.
 Closing last Wednesday there was conference of copper producers in Jerome this week and the following statement was sent out from that city:
 'Following conferences of copper producers and a study of the distri- button on increased freights and higher refinery charges of the ad- vance of 1-2 on copper metal, de- cision to advance wages in Arizona copper districts soc per day was reached and will be announced by the various copper compames to- morrow.
 'aThe increase is more than expect ed by miners, who looked for 25- cent advance, corresponding with the profit sharing schedule in effect be- fore the federal price was fixed. In making the voluntary 5O-cent ad- vance producers took in considera- tion general higher costs of living
 Referring to the local situation, and in reply to the query as to when the increased wage schedule would be inaugurated, and the poli-- cy of the companies locally. Gen. eral Manager Carmichael stated to the Copper Era that speaking only for the Arizona Copper comphny they would shape their course in ac- cordance with the findings of the U. S. Labor Administrator, as revealed in the above letter of MT. Davies. a copy of which was sent to each of the companies in this district. However" stated MT. Carmichael q cannot give out any material facts concerning the plans until the arrival of MT. Davies here. and have gone over the matter with him.
 Neither myself or any represen- tative of the Arizona Copper Co.,. Ltd, attended the conference at Jerome, and I am not informed as to the purpose, or the inspiration Of said conference"
 Returns from Fathers Funeral
 Harry Moses returned Satur3ay