The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-17
LABOR And CAPITAL.
Their Relation to Each Other
Discussed in Open Meeting.
Large Attendance of Members Of the Manu-
fscturers' ard Employers Association
and of Labor Representatives.

The first OF series of meetings to inquire
into the condition Of labor and capital in
relation to each other in California was
called by Labor Commissioner Waits for
| yesterday afternoon at . o'clock at 800 SUIT
| ter street.
The members of the Manufacturers and
| Employers Association present we're: A.
| Mclaughlin, Oscar Lewis, II. L. Davis, S.
Nickelsburg, George c. Williams, E. NJ.
| Herrick and All Rollins.
Those representing the labor cause CON-
| prised L. p. Bueman of the Furniture
workers, M. McGlynn of the Typographical
Union, j. j. GuilfoYle of the Shoemakers'
Union; w. j. B. Mackay, president of the
Federated Trades; James Ii. RoXburg, sec
rotary of the Federated Trades; w. Me-
Arthur of the Sailors Union, W. T. Boyce
| of the Ironmolders Union, C. f. Schadt of
| the Carpenters Union and A. Thurman Of
| the Brewers Union
Commissioner Waits stated the object of
the meeting, and hoped no one would hesi-
| tate to give as full and complete informa-
ton as possible. He would be than kful for
| suggestions from both sides in order to OBJ
| tain the greatest number of facts.
Mr.. Gullfoyle thought that the inquiry
should not be confined to one from each
| side.
AbtOlut9 "A. IlSIl6fs the employers,
| said the latter had nothing TO complain of
aud coinclded With the previous speaker.
NO PETTY GRIEVANCES.
Mr. McGlynn hoped the inquiry would
not be extended so as to cover every petty
| grievance.
Commissioner Waits desired TO know for
what purpose the various labor organiza-
| tons were formed, ana also what questions
were proposed to be dealt with.
4 = a.
| judicial character, each person giving testl-
mony being sworn before taking the chair
w. j. b. Mackay being asked to explain
| what constituted federated trades, read
portions of the constitution and bylaws,
| and said that an object Of the organization
was to arbitrate all difficulties between
employer and employe. lie stated that the
Federated Trades was an individual and
distinct body, though composed Of the vari-
| Gus unions.
Commissioner Waits trusted that all acr-
| mony and i'll feeling would be avoided, and
that the discussion be confined to plain
| facts.
Walter Macarthur. being sworn, testified
that he is the manager of the Coast Sea-
mems Journal. lie SAID the object of the
Sailors Union is to obtain better wages
better food, and an improved condition of
affairs generally. The union has shipwreck
and burial benefits. 1t was organized in
1887. AT that time the men possessing the
filest physical qualifications were given
| preference by ship-OwneTs. The union had
abolished blood-money and the exactions of
boarding-masters. 1t made an agreement
with the owners that in consideration of
certain concessions they would hire none
but union men. The unions relations with
| ship-owners were satisfactory. Wages be-
| fore the union was formed were S25 per
month. now they are $50 and $40. Ameri-
| can citizenship was necessary To member
| ship in the union.
AN ATTORNEY OBJECTED To.
Mr. Maekay objected to the presence Of
| Attorney Heller, as did several others on
| the labor side.
Mr. Heller stated that he represented the
| sbip-0wners.
Mr.. Thurman said his side had no attor-
neys and he considered 1t unfair for the
| employers to be so represented. He thought
| the investigation farce.
Commissioner Waits remarked that on
| the face of affairs the presence Of an attor-
ney was taking the LABOR side rather at a
disadvantage and was unjust. He there
| fore requested Mr. Heller to retire for the
| present.
! Mr.. Nickelburg Of the employers thought