The San Francisco call., 1896-03-25
To PATRONzE
HOME PRODUCTS,
A Motto That Has Not
Always Been OBJ
served.
MUCH DISSATISFACTION.
Allegation That Some Firms Are
Unduly and Indelicately
Represented.
a FIGHT AGAINST MR.. MEAD.
Prospects of a Lively Time To-Day at
the Election of the Manufac-
turers' Association.

It is expected that there will be lively
discussion this afternoon at the annual
election of the Manufacturers and Pro-
ducers' Association of California.
A large number of membe say that
they are dissatisfied with the manner in
which the organization has been con-
ducted, and they object to two OF the lead
ing officers being taken from the same
firm, one which, they say, has frequently
violated the object OF the association
namely to encourage home manufacturers.
1t Is likely that the opposition will
center on the fight for the secretaryship,
which position is now held by L. r. Mead
of the Risdon Iron Works. The opposi-
ton to Mr.. Mead is not personal one,
but is directed against the firm which
Secretary Mead represents. 1t is alleged
by those of the opposition who intend to
take part IN the discussion to-day that the
Risdon Iron WORKS has had considerable
work done in the East and that. conse-
quentlv, the manufacture industries of
this State have been injured more or less.
They say that it does not look like con-
sistency for firm 10 be represented by
officers in an association designed for the
purpose of encouraging home industries
when the firm so represented sends large
quantities of work to be done in the East.
Much dissatisfaction also exists as to the
manner in which the Pacific Lumber Com
pany let the contract for supplying it with
a bana sawmil plant. The Vulcan Iron
Works and the Risdon Iron Works were
bidders, but Allis of Milwaukee underbid
them by about 25 per cent, and the Job
went to the East. The dissa tlsfaction
arose in this case over the way in which
the contract was let. 1t is alleged by local
manufacturers that there are many parts
of the bandsaw plant which the Allis firm
does not make and which could be sup
piled by San Francisco manufacturers
about as cheaply as Mr.. Allis, who has the
work done by some one else in the East.
They say that the Pacific Lumber Com
pany should have had that part of the
work done in California.
There is also much discomfort because
the ASSOCIATION did not succeed in having
the State Harbor Commissioners use Cali
foruia stone for the proposed ferry depot
at the foot OF Market street, and also be-
cause some Of the iron work for that build
ing will be done in the East.
1t is alleged also that Secretary Mead
and few others have been managing the
association in accordance with their own
ideas, and that it has failed of its purpose
for that reason.
The association has not been able to do
much for California industries because we
have too many people in front who make
it practice to have their work done out
side of this State" remarked prominent
member yesterday, "aRd it does not look
consistent. There are too many people
like Mike de Young and the Pacific Lum-
Der Company who have their work done
outside this State. OF course their pres
ence in the association does not hurt it
any. for they would send their work away
anyhow. But it would be more in accord
ance with decency and delicacy if the repre-
sentatives OF such firms would remain in
the ranks instead of posing as officers a t
the head of the association.
Eve are hampered in California because
OF the fact that interest, material and labor
are higher here than in the East, and
added to that there are local difficulties,
such as isolation from great manufactur-
ing centers."
The effort to be made by the opposition
tomorrow will be in the direction of