The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-18

the most prominent orchardists in the
State. As so many japanese and Chinese
coolies are employed here the Commits
sioners desire to learn the reason for this
preference over white laborers.
The reasons given to-day were very un-
complimentary to the whites. Nearly all
stated that the latter are so unreliable that
1t is not safe TO attempt to harvest fruit
crop with white help, and when the aver
age laborer gets few dollars he goes off to
town. and after drinking debauch is unfit
for work for several days.
]. G. Gates stated that in his experience
he has had to go to town every Monday
morning with a 'header'' wagon and
round up his men in order to get them to
work. This kind of business, he said,
would not do, as the ripening fruit will not
stop maturing to accommodate men who
want to get drunk. The Japanese and
Chinese work steadily through the week,
Sundays and all, while the fruit is ripen-
ing, and while they cannot do as much
nor as fast work as the white men they are
as regular in their habits as clock.
The fruit men say they would rather
pay good white man 81 so a day than a
cody 80 cents. Several stated that young
men of steady habits would be able to
make small fortunes in the Vaca Valley,
for there is an opening here for large
number of reliable men who really want
work.
The examination of Japanese viii begin
tomorrow. The Japs stolea march on the
investigators. At a recent meeting of the
board in San Francisco there was testi-
- %Ho% %ot
tractors here had been importing coolies
from Japan and Victoria, and in order to
warn these a japanese boarding house
keeper in San Francisco came to Vacaville
last Friday, and on the following day the
boldest fed from town. Another is in hid
ing, but some who are in the contracting
business have been found and will be
closely questioned to-day if they, too.
do not leave this locality after dark. The
investigation has caused much excitement
in town and when the Commissioners took
their seats the sidewalks were filled with
witnesses and spectators.
Edward Fisher, notary public, was the
first witness examined. He said there are
at least 800 Japanese at work in the
orchards. There is Japanese mission
near his ranch. 1t is a sort of lodging
house and employment bureau as well.
Orchardists wanting Japanese send their
foremen to the mission to get the men.
He knew nothing about the contract
system.
A. J. Dobbins, another notary public,
when asked If he had ever drawn up any
contracts between white men and Japanese,
declined to answer, on the ground that he
would not divulge the secrets of his
clients. Raleigh Barcar, notary and
editor of the Vacaville Reporter, told Of
the system under which orchardists secure
their Japanese help.
Frank III. Buck, fruit-grower, testified
that he owns 700 acres Of fruit land, bu,
employs only whites and Chinese. He
pays Chinese 81 day and whites $25 a
month and 81 day for extra work White
men do general work as well as coolies, but
the latter do the packing much more salts.
factorily. The drying is all done by whites.
Buck boards his white help. The Jap.
anese are not as good in the orchards as
Chinese. He has kept the same Chinese
crew for fifteen years. If the whites would
apply themselves steadily they could dc
the work as well as Asiatics, but fruitmeu
cannot get the same white people yea,
after year as they can the Chinese.
The bulk of the white help in vaca Val
ley comes in from Lake County and the
Sacramento Valley. The packers are
really skilled laborers, said Mr.. Buck.
II have never hired Japanese and will
not. believe the reason Japanese are
hired is that they will work cheaper. Til.
cheapest offer made to me was 80 cents
The Japanese in the mission here made
the offer. This man in the mission agreed
to furnish all the Japanese, men and boys
1 want. They did not tell me where the,
would get the laborers.''
w. II. Buck, also a fruit-grower nea,
Vacaville, testified that he hired Japanese
and Chinese help, paying their salaryItt
the bosses. He pays 81 day, but does no
know how much the bosses give the men
Senator w. B. Parker, the banker and
orchardist, said that he employs all kind:
of help to work his fruit ranch. He gives
the whites 81 80 day and they board
themselves the Japs 81 and they board
themselves. Mr.. Parker stated that he i.
in favor of the free employment bureau
that Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald pro
poses to start. He said that if the white
men would do what is right he is sure ths