Weekly journal-miner., 1918-11-20
!. IF |. IS NOT TRYING ID KEEP
 DOWN WAGES
HEAD OF COUNTY ORGAN RATION DENIES CHARGE THAT EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO HOLD DOWN PAY OF MEN AT FORT.

Reports haVlng been circulated both locally and outside the city to thc effect that the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce had been at tempting to keep down the scale of wages which were being paid to the workmon at Fort Whipple, President Nicie of that organization yesterday addressed the following letter to the head of the government employment office in this city, the epistle being scli-exElanatory:
 Nov. l9, 1918. Mir W. \. kenson,'
 L. s. Employment Bureau,
 Precott, Arizona.
 Aly dear Sir:
 It has been reported to the Cham Der of Commerce that the employees al Whipple Barracks are under the impression that the Yavapai County , Chamber of Commerce has been working to keep down the scale of wages of employees used in the building of the hospital at. Fort Whippie This is a matter which we cannot allow 10 pass unnoticed, and we will appreciate it if you will brand this statement as absolutely untrue, and give proper publicity to this letter so that all 1aborers may know the exact conditions. As you are undoubtedly aware, the scale of wages on construction work of Unit cd States government is fixed by the war policies labor board in Washing ton. Major Alexander, representa- tive of this board, came to Prescott before work at Whipple Barracks was started, and the Chamber of Com mcrce gave to him full details as to the rate of wages paid by municipal;- ties ard mining and operating com panies in this district, and assured him, at that time. that ii would be absolutely impossible to secure labor CTS at Whipplc Barracks, with the scale of wages authorized by the war policies board On October 18th we were asked by Thomas ]. Croaff, fed eral director of the department Of labor. at Phoenix, to see if anything could be dcne 10 relieve the situation a, Fort Whipplc Tn response to this appeal by AIr. Croafi, the Cham Der of Commerce sent the following telegram to Washington:
 Felix Frankfurtor. War Labor Policy Bureau, Washington, D. (. | We are informed by Federal Direct 1. or of Phoenix, that the construction 1 al W'Iipple Barracks is being badly | due 10 scarcity of com ! mon labor. Prevailing wage scale in . this county for common labor is paid . by mines and operating companies | and in city of Prescott three fifty per day Mexican and four dollars for white. We can supply all labor re- cuircd at prevailing rates, but 1t Is impossible to get men CT one job when fifty per cent more is available on other jobs in the samc locality. We urgently rcGscet th~' your common labor scale be revised for this project Navapei County Chamber of Commerce, r. z. Viclo, i, President"
 In reply to this telegram, we have been notified that the matter has been taken under adyiscment by the in Washington. It is clearly evident, from the forego- ing that the Chamber of Commerce, ii SO far as lays within its province, has -udcavored 10 have the wages at Fort Whipplc made commensurate with other wages paid in this county. ( and VIC will appreciate il if you will .' see that any workmen with whom you come in contact, may be notified Ji OUT action.
 Thanking you for your cooperation sr remain.
 Yours very truly,
 EtN}PtI COUNTY CHAMBER !,