The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-11
LABORERS At VIVA
A Story That Mrs. Stanford
Had Engaged Three
Hundred Japs.
The Statement Made That She Has
Discharged Nearly All of
Her White Help

Deputy Labor Commissioner c. L. Dam
received letter yesterday that contains
some startling statements. 1t was from
one who signed his name John Dunno of
Vina, Tehama County, and asserts that
Mrs. Stanford is discriminating against
white labor in favor of coolies. The letter
reads as follows:
Being actuated to do good to my fellow-work-
men OF the Caucasian race in preference to
japanese and Chinese, am impelled to write
you OF abuses that you may be able to correct.
The great Stanford vineyard and ranch here
has been conducted principally by white labor
at good, fair wages previous to Governor STAN
ford's death. Since his death the madam has
dismissed nearly all the white help and what
few were retained have. to work for Chinese
wages. Now she, as | understand, made con-
tract with 800 japanese to do the work of
white men and Cinnamon.
The white men are willing to do the same
work for 20 cents, but no, she, through the adj
vice of the superintendent. has. deprived them
of the privilege. The community here is very
much incensed at the idea of introducing
Japanese labor, which will no doubt eradicate
all white labor in the future. There may be
trouble, which l anticipate, on their arrival
here, and it will be very bitter. This
last act OF hers should not be allowed wed
will make note of the letter by calling atten-
ton TO the TACT that without any cost To her
you can I'll her orders for white men to do all
blowing, moving, etc. l remain, etc,
JOHN DUNE.
The public is familiar with the WE'LL
known generosity and liberality of the
Stanfords and their active interest in the
laboring classes. This assertion that Mrs.
Stanford has experienced change of heart,
either with or without the advice OF the
perIntendent of the Vina property, IS to
say the least startling. 1t has been pub
lished on several occasions that the work.
ing force at the Vina ranch would be re-
duced, as Mrs. Stanford had decided to
abandon the raising OF fine horses, which
was her late husband s hobby. This would
necessarily throw a number of trainers,
grooms and hostlers out of work at the
VIVA paddocks. 1t has also been stated
that the affairs of the estate made it neces-
sary to reduce the heavy expenses, but
this is the first Information that Mrs. STAN
ford's economy had taken the direction of
utilizing cody labor.
81 do not know anything about this man
Dunno, who makes these charges" said
Deputy Labor Commissioner Dam, "but
will investigate the matter. If Dunno has
done Mrs. Stanford an injustice it is only
right that the facts may be known to the
public If what Dunno says is true that,
too, should be known by the public. With
thousands of white men idle IN the State,
it is not fair to the laboring classes nor to
the general public that more should be
thrown into the ranks of the unemployed
and their places filled by coolies"
As neither Mrs. Stanford nor Mr.. Lath-
rop, the manager OF the Stanford estate,
was in the City last evening, their version
OF the matter could not be obtained.